Helms career was marked by repeated charges that he was racist. Ill be sharing the story of whats happening in the classrooms with businesses that want to invest. Gantt said she has always had a passion for education and considered pursuing a career in teaching while in college. Their daughter, Sonja Gantt, is a former news anchor at WCNC-TV in Charlotte. Gantt's husband threw the car into reverse and took off. Thirty years later, Gantt tells TIME he doesnt begrudge Jordans decision not to publicly support himand isnt sure how much it would have mattered, anyway. 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? Gantt lost the election. In 1961, Gantt attended Iowa State University. All rights reserved. GUNMEN SOUGHT IN ATTACK ON HARVEY GANTT'S DAUGHTER. About The Gantts | Clemson University, South Carolina In his famous 1963 "Letter from a Birmingham Jail," King wrote that the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. These are indeed challenging times that have many in the country wondering how we move forward as a nation. Harvey Gantt, a member of Sigma Pi Phi fraternity, lives with his wife Cindy in Charlotte. On this holiday to honor the Rev. That's why I agreed to the naming of the building, and that's why I want you to join me in celebrating our history and the dawning of a new day for all of us. Sonja has been a central member of our news team for nearly 20 years, said WCNCs general manager. Gantt's husband threw the car into reverse and took off. But thats where my energy was.. So no harm, no foul., Gantt lost that 1990 race by some 105,000 votes; Helms got 53% of the vote to Gantts 47%. Look, I didnt even know any of this stuff until the drama I guess was over. Clemons, The Mayoral Campaigns of Harvey Gantt: Prospect and THE BALLOT OF HARVEY GANTT - The Washington Post And my grandson, who had access to his cellphone, shows me this picture of people climbing the Capitol wall. Gantt currently manages a successful architectural firm and remains active in politics. Gantt was elected Charlottes first African-American mayor in 1983. Harvey Gantt was mayor of Charlotte from 1983-1987. In 2012, Jordan hosted a fundraiser for Obama; Jordan also offered some fundraising support for Gantt in his 1996 rematch with Helms. Write to Sean Gregory at sean.gregory@time.com. Harvey Gantt - Wikipedia Did he turn you down? Lucinda entered in the fall semester of that same year, making her Clemson's second African American student to enroll. Helms' career was marked by repeated charges that he was . In 1983, Gantt was nominated as the Democratic candidate for mayor and elected as Charlottes first and, to date, only black mayor. Because he always called for peaceful protest, and these are far from that. The fear we have today is very similar. Harvey Gantt believes that abortin should remain legal. He was Charlotte's last Democratic mayor until Anthony Foxx was elected in 2009. After one year of study, he returned to South Carolina and soon afterwards sued to enter racially segregated Read MoreHarvey Bernard Gantt (1943- ) Harvey Gantt graduated with honors from Clemson in 1965, earning a Bachelors degree in Architecture and later a Master of City Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In this week's Wisdom Watch, Gantt, who is also a renowned architect,. Republicans buy sneakers, too, Jordan famously said by way of explanation. To support the work we do, consider joining our Press Club. I hope that those who have already "crossed over" can smile and feel proud knowing that we have not forgotten their sacrifices; how they nurtured, pushed and prodded young minds to strive for excellence. Gantt unsuccessfully ran two U.S. Senatorial campaigns against Republican Senator Jesse Helms in 1990 and 1996. 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. He said activism is just not in his nature. 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. First of all, we couldn't understand how security would have allowed this group of people to get in. [4], Gantt manages a successful architectural practice, Gantt Huberman Architects, and remains active in politics. The Southern Gentleman Strategy Indeed, Harvey Gantt, 47, suggests a Southern Gentleman, courtly as he disarms white resistance by professing "no chip" on his shoulder as a black man who rose. I dont think anyone who witnessed that campaign would have suggested otherwise.. Gantt was the first African American student to enroll in Clemson University, graduating with honors with a degree in architecture. Harvey Gantt was the first African American student to enroll at Clemson, entering the University in January 1963. 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. Gantt was born in Charleston, South Carolina to Wilhelminia and Christopher C. Gantt, a shipyard worker. And then, How do I live up to it? (The Last Dances ratings would say otherwise). These are his words, lightly edited for clarity. The four-story, 46,500-square-foot building was built for $18.6 million, and is part the Levine Center for the Arts. Did he turn you down? In the 1980s, he opposed making Martin Luther King Jr. Day a national holiday. My wife and my grandson were in the car with me. "They surrounded me with love and affection.. Somebody told me he said something about Republicans buying Nike shoes, Gantt, now 77, says. I guess if youre building a brand thats what you do., Gantt was seeking to become the first African-American senator from North Carolina. 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. Years later, he would move to Charlotte -- a city where he had difficulty getting a hotel room when he first arrived due to the color of his skin. He thinks its impossible to know whether Jordan, who as a freshman at UNC hit the game-winning shot to give legendary coach Dean Smith his first national title, could have tipped the race in his favor. That reminded me of a movie of someone reaching, overcoming some enemy on the other side and they were going to take over. He'll focus on the Smart Tour instead, but he could race in Tommy Neal's Sportsman car next month. Again: fear. Ultimately, Michael Jordan may be forgotten, McCall said. 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. You needed that job, and you were the best qualified, the narrator says. Lucinda entered in the fall semester of that same year, making her Clemsons second African American student to enroll.Harvey is a native of Charleston, S.C. He says that neither he or anyone from his campaign reached out to Jordan directly about an endorsement in 1990. Gunmen Sought in Attack on Harvey Gantt'S Daughter Some of the firms projects include the construction of the Charlotte Transportation Center, Transamerica Square, and First Ward Recreation Center. When it was first proposed that this building be named after me, I hesitated. In an interview with Lynn Haessly in 1986, Harvey Gantt recalled meeting Lucinda; [] 20072023 Blackpast.org. He also ran twice against Jesse Helms for the U.S. Senate. 2023 Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture. Harvey Gantt is an architect, city planner, civil rights leader, and former mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. 90.3 Hickory 106.1 Laurinburg, PublishedJanuary 18, 2021 at 7:53 AM EST. 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. While on the council, he encouraged black voting and reformed the process of electing city council members. Clemson University Digital Collections I saw them talking about the sacrifices of many who made Charlotte great, and the enormous history and accomplishments of the African American community. At 12, she was registering people to vote. Glenn: And, of course, North Carolina went for President Trump. He said being a pioneer wasn't difficult because he had friends on campus, both black and. ', Even Gantt himself sympathizes with Jordan. Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles, Here's How Harvey Gantt Feels, 30 Years Later, About Michael Jordan Refusing to Back Him. Gantt was elected Charlottes first African-American mayor in 1983. At QCity Metro, our mission is to provide news, information and commentary from a Black perspective. Gantt chats sunnily about his wife of 31 years, Cindy; their daughter who anchors the morning television news in Chicago, two other daughters in medical school and his son, nicknamed Adam. M.L. 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. The 1980s: A Man of Grand Designs | Our State Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. It voted substantially for the Democratic ticket, and I expect that won't reverse itself in the next four years. ', Even Gantt himself sympathizes with Jordan. ``We don't know if it was random or if someone was targeting her,' said police Capt. Harvey Gantt Leaves A Legacy In NC | WUNC She will. 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. That, he says with a laugh, ought to tell you something.. Gantt ran twice, against Republican Jesse Helms in 1990 and in 1996, for the United States Senate. Gantt: I think that Dr. King would be turning over in his grave or frowning from heaven, shall we say. I only heard about this Michael Jordan saga secondhand. 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. Gantt was born in Charleston on January 14, 1943, the first of five children born to Christopher C. Gantt and Wilhelmenia Gordon. Helms' career was marked by repeated charges that he was . A native of Hopkins, South Carolina, Ms. Brawley began dating civil rights leader Harvey Gantt when they were both undergraduate students. I envisioned walking into the building with my grandchildren and had thoughts of others doing the same with future generations. And I said, yeah they do. In an interview for the film, former President Barack Obama weighed in, too. Residents and visiting friends alike will have numerous opportunities to enjoy all aspects of Levine Center for the Arts. But Obama told the filmmakers he also sympathized Jordans reluctance to take a political stance. (The Last Dances ratings would say otherwise). All Rights Reserved. Times, October 13, 1990; . 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. Johnson C. Smith University - Harvey B. Gantt Ultimately, Michael Jordan may be forgotten, McCall said. But Obama told the filmmakers he also sympathized Jordans reluctance to take a political stance. The two institutions compete against each other in many sports, but the annual football game receives the most attention. 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. He started to participate in civil rights activism in high school. All rights reserved. We didnt spend a lot of time brooding about it, Gantt said in an interview on Friday. Example video title will go here for this video. In 2012, Jordan hosted a fundraiser for Obama; Jordan also offered some fundraising support for Gantt in his 1996 rematch with Helms. As a child, she worked to get Harvey Gantt elected Charlotte . Harvey Gantt holding his daughter Sonya, circa 1969 Havey Gantt at Dr. Harold and Mrs. Eugenia Hills 50th Anniversary Havey Gantt with Dr. Harold and Mrs. Eugenia Hills at their 50th Anniversary Items in this Collection 1991 CUBFSA New Black Faculty and Staff Reception In 1963, Gantt became the first African-American student to attend the previously all-white institution. Last Dance: How Harvey Gantt Feels About Michael Jordan Refusing to The fifth episode of The Last Dance, the popular ESPN docu-series examining the impact of Michael Jordan and the 1997-1998 Chicago Bulls, touches on one of the more controversial aspects of Jordans legendary career: his lack of political engagement during his playing days. 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. 2-year-old girl suffered extensive injuries. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota. Was that selfish? Former Charlotte Mayor On Making History, American Politics But what really made the impact for me were the African-Americans who always serviced that white student population," Gantt said. Maybe were going to be linked together in history. 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Gantts a season ticket holder for the Charlotte Hornets, the NBA team owned by Jordan. He graduated with a bachelors degree in architecture from Clemson with honors in 1965. Gibson's mother, Sonja, is Gantt's oldest child. That has been a fear that extends all the way back to the beginning of this country and beyond. Harvey B. Gantt, architect and politician, was born January 14, 1943 in Charleston, South Carolina to Christopher and Wilhelmenia Gantt. with Dignity (Clemson: Clemson University Digital Press, 2003); Harvey B. Gantt, architect and politician, was born January 14, 1943 in Charleston, South Carolina to Christopher and Wilhelmenia Gantt. ; Peter When you support the work of QCity Metro, you support our push to achieve that goal for Black Charlotte. Gantt was born on Yonges Island near Charleston, the first of five children. News, Opinion & Events for Charlotte's African American community. This collection contains photographs of Harvey and Lucinda, who is the first African American woman to attend Clemson, as well as official university documents related to Harvey's integration fight. May this edifice always stand as a symbol that this community and nation are places where we all "belong". 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. [4], In 2009, the Afro-American Cultural Center and the City of Charlotte honored Gantt by building the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture, recognizing his contributions to the civil rights movement and as the city's first black mayor. And the blame is, for me, four years of a president who I feel rightly was impeached because he did incite that riot, baiting the crowd, projecting misinformation all over the place. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The Gantt Center will serve as one of the entry points to experience the arts, sporting events and many other amenities that Charlotte has to offer. Jordans stance disappointed some of his admirers. Former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt has made history more - WCNC-TV 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. His Nike Air Jordan shoes, in fact, made him millions. Gwendolyn is an award-winning journalist who has covered a broad range of stories on the local and national levels. 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. You can cancel at any time. You have permission to edit this article. 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. [7], Another advertisement, known as the White Hands ad, showed a close-up of the hands of a white person reading, then crumpling a letter, while a voice-over said "You needed that job, and you were the best qualified. 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. 263:11 (1996); H. Lewis Suggs, Harvey Gantt and the Desegregation of You needed that job, and you were the best qualified, the narrator says. Harvey Gantt was the first African American student to enroll at Clemson, entering the University in January 1963. His lone focus was his craft. One, which attacked Gantt's pro-abortion stance, repeatedly rewound and replayed a soundbite from Gantt, with the image changing from color to black and white, and Gantt's face appearing darker at the end. Gantt, a Charlotte native and daughter of former mayor Harvey Gantt, joined Channel 36 in 1997 from Chicago station WGN. Sonja Gantt aims newscast in new direction | Charlotte Observer Please contact us with questions or requests. But I do find that my conservative folks keep talking now about unity and peacefulness and that we can all get together on one page when in fact, for years they have actually built the attitude of this country to the point that it is today where we have this level of divisiveness. And I would feel terrible if he felt obligated to have done something that he didnt want to do. But they had to give it to a minority because of a racial quota. Glenn: Now, you yourself, when you ran for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Sen. Jesse Helms, you had a really tough campaign, and there were lots of charges of racism. UPDATE: Brother told investigators child got in trouble for messing with fish tank. I thought about the enormous history of the residents of the historic Second Ward community of "Brooklyn," where the Gantt Center now stands. In 1990 and 1996, Gantt was the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, losing to incumbent Republican Jesse Helms both times. In 1970, Gantt earned an M.A. The Gantt Center is located at Levine Center for the Arts and supported by the North Carolina Arts Council and the Knight Foundation. I call this home because the city and community represent all that is symbolic to steadfastness and a "can do" attitude. [2] The first African-American student admitted to Clemson University after attending Iowa State University, Gantt graduated with honors in architecture, earned a master's at MIT, and established an architectural practice in Charlotte with a partner. He said activism is just not in his nature. Harvey Gantt and the Integration of Clemson University 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. 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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. in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Daughter of former Charlotte Mayor Harvey Gantt, she attended East Mecklenburg High School and got a journalism degree from UNC Chapel Hill. "I wasnt fearing the academics. Jordans reluctance to get political stands in contrast to todays superstar athletes, like LeBron James, who are much more socially engaged. [4] Their daughter, Sonja Gantt, is a former news anchor at WCNC-TV in Charlotte.[12]. A much bigger contributor to his loss, Gantt points out, was the infamous Hands ad that Helms campaign ran before the election. Harvey Gantt: At the time that this was occurring, I was actually on the highway. Get the latest from the Gantt & subscribe to our mailing list. Gantt lost again, by a similar margin. SouthBound Extra: A Preview Of Harvey Gantt Interview. Clemson University Libraries. In The Last Dance, Jordan says his mother asked him to film a commercial for Gantt; he wrote a check to the campaign instead. Gantt, who had stepped out of the car, jumped back in after she spotted the second man pointing a gun at her, police said. HELMS DEFEATS GANTT. Remaining in office for two terms, Gantt stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other Charlotte leaders committed to establishing a New South City. Maybe were going to be linked together in history. Javascript must be enabled for the correct page display, Assistance for Visitors with Disabilities, K-12 In School Programs & Enhanced Tour Offerings. 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.
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