In the spot, the hands of a white man crumples up a letter. Whoops! A boost from Jordan, who at that time hadnt won an NBA title but was still one of the most famous, beloved people on the planet, could have only benefitted Gantt. WCNC-TV anchorwoman Sonja Gantt and her husband noticed a white pickup at the top of their driveway as they were pulling into their garage Saturday night, police said.Two men wearing ski masks and holding handguns approached, and one man ordered Gantt's husband to go into the house. And then, How do I live up to it? He is a partner in the architectural and city planning firm Gantt/Huberman Architects and served two terms as mayor of Charlotte, N.C. If he was in his mid 50s and done all of the things he had done and been as socially conscious as he has been and I was running a campaign, maybe I would have expected more of him, says Gantt. In the close and particularly bitter 1990 contest, Helms campaign used shrewdly-crafted TV ads targeting white fears about affirmative action, which Gantts supporters claimed were racially motivated. Harvey Gantt - Wikipedia {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Police release ID of Greensboro resident killed in fatal crash Tuesday, Jonathan Brown won't race in Modified Division this year at Bowman Gray Stadium, Troopers: Man now faces felony after failing to stop for school bus, striking 6-year-old boy. Harvey Gantt made history in 1983 as the first African-American to be elected as mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. Gantt grew up in Charleston, S.C.; he was the first African-American student to enroll at Clemson University in January 1963; he and the second African-American student on campus, Lucinda. His lone focus was his craft. "I wasnt fearing the academics. Glenn: Today is the federal holiday for the Rev. Somebody told me he said something about Republicans buying Nike shoes, Gantt, now 77, says. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Americans are reflecting on Kings legacy and the divisiveness of the country, especially given the mob attack on the U.S. Capitol more than a week ago. Item Details Title Harvey Gantt holding his daughter Sonya, circa 1969 Collections Documenting the African American Experience at Clemson Harvey Gantt and the Integration of Clemson University Dates Date Created Circa 1969 Descriptive Information Left to right: Harry Jones, Gladys Gant, Anna Lou Reid, Harvey Gantt holding daughter Sonya. Gantt, 50, will become executive director of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg County Public Schools Foundation, a 501-c-3 nonprofit that collects donations to supplement educational programs. If he was in his mid 50s and done all of the things he had done and been as socially conscious as he has been and I was running a campaign, maybe I would have expected more of him, says Gantt. Harvey Bernard Gantt grew up in the 1940s and 50s in then-segregated Charleston, South Carolina. Glenn: And, of course, North Carolina went for President Trump. He has served on the North Carolina Democratic Party Executive Council, the Democratic National Committee, and the National Capital Planning Commission. And I suppose he wasnt as reflective on the implications of what people were asking him to do. While Gantt would have welcomed Jordans support, he holds no grudges. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our, Digital To support the work we do, consider joining our Press Club. He moved to Charlotte after graduating from MIT, and, in 1971, co-founded Gantt Huberman Architects. Gantt's husband threw the car into reverse and took off. Former Charlotte Mayor On Making History, American Politics His lone focus was his craft. Gantts a season ticket holder for the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA team owned by Jordan. Gantt: I actually didn't meet him at all in that sense. We didnt spend a lot of time brooding about it, Gantt said in an interview on Friday. The fear we have today is very similar. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota. A retired architect, he still remains plugged-in to the Charlotte political scene. Because he always called for peaceful protest, and these are far from that. My supporters were very strong, very fervent people, he says. When it was first proposed that this building be named after me, I hesitated. Harvey Gantt: At the time that this was occurring, I was actually on the highway. I saw them talking about the sacrifices of many who made Charlotte great, and the enormous history and accomplishments of the African American community. Gantt grew up in Charleston, S.C.; he was the first African-American student to enroll at Clemson University in January 1963; he and the second African-American student on campus, Lucinda Brawley, would go on to marry. The internal documents detail university officials filing away or attempting to block admissions applications by Harvey and other Black students. Jordans stance disappointed some of his admirers. And I suppose he wasnt as reflective on the implications of what people were asking him to do. While Gantt would have welcomed Jordans support, he holds no grudges. I actually find it hard to believe that we find ourselves in this place, in this country, in the days before we inaugurate the 46th president of this country, Joe Biden, to suggest that there may be violence in 50 state capitals and the capital of the United States. In January 1963, after a legal battle that escalated to the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, Gantt became the first African-American student accepted at Clemson University. But he would overcome the vestiges of segregation to become the citys first black mayor, blazing a trail in the Queen City like he did decades earlier at Clemson. In an interview for the film, former President Barack Obama weighed in, too. One of the. Gantt graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in architecture. Please contact us with questions or requests. Nonetheless, Gantt received 47 percent of the vote in the race against the nationally-known incumbent senator who had held the seat 17 years. In 1963, he was the first African American to be admitted to Clemson University in South Carolina. The episode, which aired Sunday evening, cut to an older clip of author Nathan McCallwho worked at the Washington Post from 1989-1998comparing Jordan unfavorably to Muhammad Ali, who gave up prime earning years to oppose the Vietnam War and Americas treatment of African-Americans. Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, Assistance for Visitors with Disabilities, K-12 In School Programs & Enhanced Tour Offerings. Its a question former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt has thought about over the years, including when he was the first African American to attend Clemson University and when he lost in a tight race for the U.S. Senate in 1990 that was racially charged. About The Gantts | Clemson University, South Carolina While our nation and world still struggle with acknowledging and appreciating our differences, the Gantt Center can serve as a vehicle for people to come celebrate African American art, history and culture. Here's How Harvey Gantt Feels, 30 Years Later, About Michael Jordan African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. Harvey Gantt is an architect, city planner, civil rights leader, and former mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. He has been a visiting lecturer at a number of prestigious institutions, including his alma mater, Clemson University, where he also received an honorary doctorate.Lucinda is a native of Hopkins, S.C. It voted substantially for the Democratic ticket, and I expect that won't reverse itself in the next four years. [10], In 2016, PBS Charlotte and UNC-TV featured Gantt in their online series, Biographical Conversations. Gantt continues to advocate for equity and equal rights and is often tapped to serve on civic, cultural, and business boards, and to lead philanthropic efforts and community initiatives. (The Last Dances ratings would say otherwise). I guess if youre building a brand thats what you do., Gantt was seeking to become the first African-American senator from North Carolina. I only heard about this Michael Jordan saga secondhand. Magazines, Digital In addition to being Charlotte' first African American mayor, he was the first African American student to attend Clemson University. They first reside in public housing, then in a home that Gantt's father built by hand, learning carpentry as he went. In September 1963, Lucinda Brawley became the first African-American woman to be admitted to Clemson and in October 1964 married Harvey. I thought about the enormous history of the residents of the historic Second Ward community of "Brooklyn," where the Gantt Center now stands. We are forever grateful to them. Gantt, a Charlotte native and daughter of former mayor Harvey Gantt, joined Channel 36 in 1997 from Chicago station WGN. Architect and Politician Harvey Gantt Honored With AIA Award As a result, the firm has developed some of the citys most iconic landmarks, including the Charlotte Transportation Center, TransAmerica Square, ImaginOn, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, and the Johnson C. Smith University Science Center. In an interview with Lynn Haessly in 1986, Harvey Gantt recalled meeting Lucinda; [] Harvey is a native of Charleston, S.C. Daughter of former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, she attended East Mecklenburg High School and got a journalism degree from UNC Chapel Hill. Inspired by his father, a longtime National Association for the . Former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt has made history more - WCNC-TV May this edifice always stand as a symbol that this community and nation are places where we all "belong". Problems of Coalition Maintenance in the New South, Southeastern 20072023 Blackpast.org. He was still trying to figure out, How am I managing this image that has been created around me,' said Obama. All Rights Reserved. Harvey B. Gantt. I was struck by the descriptions that seem to suggest that the people doing this were well versed in military tactics to get in, and then to see them smashing the windows in the hallway it was all surprising. He moved to Charlotte after graduating from MIT, and, in 1971, co-founded Gantt Huberman Architects. ', Even Gantt himself sympathizes with Jordan. Join our community to receive email updates. He supported the rights of NFL players to kneel during the national anthem and backed James after President Donald Trump questioned Jamess intelligence. In The Last Dance, Jordan says his mother asked him to film a commercial for Gantt; he wrote a check to the campaign instead. He served on the North Carolina Democratic Party Executive Council, the Democratic National Committee, and was appointed as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission in Washington, DC. The episode, which aired Sunday evening, cut to an older clip of author Nathan McCallwho worked at the Washington Post from 1989-1998comparing Jordan unfavorably to Muhammad Ali, who gave up prime earning years to oppose the Vietnam War and Americas treatment of African-Americans. I was absolutely influenced by Martin Luther King's ministry and his leadership in the civil rights movement at that time. He won the election with 52 percent of the overall vote and 36 percent of the white vote and then served a four-year term as mayor. UNCG will suffer from state's new funding formula, say retired faculty members. Admittedly, it took some convincing by Board Chair Earl Leake and others. Harvey Bernard Gantt (born January 14, 1943)[1] is an American architect and Democratic politician active in North Carolina. That, he says with a laugh, ought to tell you something., A Towering, Terrifying Demon Horse Isnt Even the Weirdest Part, Man who lost wife, son in Texas mass shooting tells story, Gwyneth Paltrow won't recoup attorney fees in ski crash suit, 'Zombie' misinformation: 'Rape Day' hoax resurfaces on TikTok, 'Very homophobic': Teachers' union leader Randi Weingarten says House hearing crossed the line, LE SSERAFIM releases first studio album Unforgiven', Pour Salt Down Your Drain At Night, Here's Why, Cooler weather has arrived and looks to stay for the week ahead, Pine-Richland High School Band 2023 Pegasus Parade, Video: Widespread rain tapers to showers Monday (5-1-23). He was elected to two terms as the first black Mayor of Charlotte from 1983 to 1987. Helms Defeats Gantt in Duel of Old, New South - Los Angeles Times Clemson, South Carolina 29634 Harvey Gantt and the Integration of Clemson University While on the council, he encouraged black voting and reformed the process of electing city council members. By subscribing, you agree to receive emails from us. In this series, Gantt recalls his life experiences, ranging from his attendance at Clemson University to his inauguration as Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. Did he turn you down? Gantt was the first African American student to enroll in Clemson University, graduating with honors with a degree in architecture. He was elected to two terms as the first African-American mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina,[4] serving in that position from 1983 to 1987. In 1971, Gantt left the Soul City project, returning to Charlotte to launch an architectural firm with Jeffrey Huberman. The city did not at that time have majority black population and currently does not have a majority black population. They have four children: Sonja, Erika, Angela, and Adam. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Sonja Gantt addressing Charlotte students on the value of reading in 2014. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota. Look, I didnt even know any of this stuff until the drama I guess was over. Officers say the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Sonja Gantt leaving WCNC anchor desk for education role She worked for several years as an on-air contract reporter for CNN in Atlanta and worked in print as a reporter for the Baltimore Sun Media Group, The Washington Post and covered Congress and various federal agencies for the Daily Environment Report and Real Estate Finance Today. Back in 1990 Jordan, who grew up in North Carolina and starred for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels, refused to publicly endorse Harvey Gantt, the African-American former Democratic mayor of Charlotte, in his racially contentious Senate race versus Republican Jesse Helms. 864-656-3311, Harvey and Lucinda Gantt Multicultural Center, Non-Discrimination & Anti-Harassment Policy. Harvey Gantt Facts for Kids Did he turn you down? In the spot, the hands of a white man crumples up a letter. (The Last Dances ratings would say otherwise). Grandmother is charged with murder. And I would feel terrible if he felt obligated to have done something that he didnt want to do. Forego a bottle of soda and donate its cost to us for the information you just learned, and feel good about helping to make it available to everyone. But what really made the impact for me were the African-Americans who always serviced that white student population," Gantt said. In this week's Wisdom Watch, Gantt, who is also a renowned architect,. It's just beyond belief. HELMS DEFEATS GANTT. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time. And since that time, Ive thought it was much ado about nothing., Jordan, Gantt notes, was a 27-year-old superstar still on the rise: his Bulls hadnt beaten the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference finals yet. His Nike Air Jordan shoes, in fact, made him millions. As a child, she worked to get Harvey Gantt elected Charlotte . He said activism is just not in his nature. Privacy Policy & Terms of Use. AP Photo/Chuck Burton. A native of Hopkins, South Carolina, Ms. Brawley began dating civil rights leader Harvey Gantt when they were both undergraduate students. All Rights Reserved. Harvey B. Gantt, architect and politician, was born January 14, 1943 in Charleston, South Carolina to Christopher and Wilhelmenia Gantt. After much processing and discussion with my wife, Cindy, the prevailing factor that led me to say "yes" was that it was for the sake of posterity. You had to want to be in this campaign. Sometimes standing up for whats right means having the courage to blaze your own trail. It's bringing in new jobs. Lucinda Brawley Gantt Is that really fair?, That election, Gantt says, certainly had racial overtones. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. She later continued her education, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the same school. Gantt was elected Charlottes first African-American mayor in 1983. I dont think anyone who witnessed that campaign would have suggested otherwise.. Sonja Gantt, a key personality in WCNCs (Channel 36) news department for nearly 20 years, will leave the anchor desk in January for a new philanthropic role. A small donation would help us keep this available to all. Even Jordan has stepped out of his former comfort zone a bit: in 2016, he released a statement against police brutality and announced two $1 million donations to organizations seek to build trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Harvey Bernard Gantt (1943- ) Between 1970 and 1971, he collaborated with civil rights activist Floyd B. McKissick to design Soul City, North Carolina, an experimental interracial community in eastern North Carolina. Gantt was born in Charleston on January 14, 1943, the first of five children born to Christopher C. Gantt and Wilhelmenia Gordon. On January 16, 1963, the U.S. Court of Appeals ordered Clemson to admit Gantt who became its first African American student. Gibson, a junior center and a captain on N.C. State's football team, is the second oldest of Gantt's nine grandchildren. That was not the first thing that came to my mind on the morning after that defeat., In the series, Jordan copped to making the Republicans buy sneakers too comment, but insists it was in jest. Small business owner's truck, equipment stolen, Habitat for Humanity building affordable housing in west Charlotte, At least 6 people killed in crashes on I-55 south of Springfield, Illinois. Glenn: And with what's going on with President Trump's supporters calling for armed protests at state capitals around the nation on this Dr. King holiday, what are you thinking about? From 1974 until 1983, Gantt served on the Charlotte City Council. Upon Harveys graduation in 1965, he and Lucinda moved to Charlotte, N.C., where Lucinda completed her course work in applied mathematics and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UNC-Charlotte. You have permission to edit this article. ; Peter Harvey Gantt was born in Charleston, South Carolina. And I would feel terrible if he felt obligated to have done something that he didnt want to do. African American architect and political pioneer: Harvey Gantt design In terms of coming together? It's growing very well. We didnt spend a lot of time brooding about it, Gantt said in an interview on Friday. Johnson C. Smith University - Harvey B. Gantt Harvey Gantt was the first African American student to enroll at Clemson, entering the University in January 1963. After one year of study, he returned to South Carolina and soon afterwards sued to enter racially segregated Clemson University. He says that neither he or anyone from his campaign reached out to Jordan directly about an endorsement in 1990. Sean Mulhall. You had to want to be in this campaign. He was trying to build a brand, says Gantt. Some of the firms projects include the construction of the Charlotte Transportation Center, Transamerica Square, and First Ward Recreation Center. Helms career was marked by repeated charges that he was racist. Gantt entered local politics, where he was elected to the city council, serving from 1974 to 1983. Being a man of tradition, I always felt it was more appropriate to name a building or street for someone after their passing, as a way to honor their work. From morning until night, I was traveling all over this state, making speeches and doing a whole lot of stuff and trying to become a credible candidate, Gantt says. Harvey Gantt becomes Clemson University's first African-American student in 1963. And then, How do I live up to it? Gantt grew up in Charleston, S.C.; he was the first African-American student to enroll at Clemson University in January 1963; he and the second African-American student on campus, Lucinda Brawley, would go on to marry. RALEIGH, N.C. . Gantt was elected Charlottes first African-American mayor in 1983. Gantt, who had stepped out of the car, jumped back in after she spotted the second man pointing a gun at her, police said. Courtesy AIA. And of course, in my case, in 1990, Jesse Helms successfully blew the dog whistle of racism, and people feared African Americans holding public office. _____ Video: Harvey Gantt Black History Moment About Harvey B. Gantt That causes a reaction. Gantt Tries Again to Beat the Senates Last Reactionary, The Nation Harvey Gantt was mayor of Charlotte from 1983-1987. Gantt lost again, by a similar margin. November 7, 1990. M.L. The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, in Charlotte, is named in his honor.