Harvey B. Gantt, the first African American elected to lead North Carolina’s largest city, visits Elon this month for an annual commemorative program to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The former Charlotte mayor will speak Jan. 14 at noon in Whitley Auditorium.
The event is free and open to the public. The winner of Elon University’s 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Essay Contest will also be announced at the program.
Born in Charleston, Gantt made history in 1963 when, under court order, he became the first black student to attend a previously all-white school in South Carolina by enrolling at Clemson University. He graduated with honors and a degree in architecture. Five years later, he received his mater’s degree from MIT.
Gantt co-founded Gantt Huberman Architects in Charlotte and has been honored numerous times with local, regional and national design awards. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects. Gantt has been a lecturer and visiting critic at college and universities across the United States.
A political activist since 1974, Gantt served three terms on the Charlotte City Council before becoming the city’s mayor from 1983 to 1987. He twice challenged incumbent U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms (1990 and 1996) and, while unsuccessful in both bids, won national attention for his positions on education, health care and the environment.
Gantt has been a board member of several organizations, including the Foundation for the Carolinas, CPCC Foundation and the Charlotte Center City Partners. He is married to the former Lucinda Brawley. They have four adult children.
For more information on Gantt or the presentation, click on the link below or call the Multicultural Center in the Moseley Center at 278-7243.