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Harvey Gantt was born in Charleston, South Carolina.
He went to the public schools of that city and graduated from Burke High School second in his class.
He moved to the Midwest on a merit scholarship, attending Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa from 1960-1962.
In late 1961, he applied to Clemson University, and was admitted in January 1963 under court order and became the first black student to attend a previously all white school in South Carolina.
He graduated from Clemson with honors and a Bachelor of Architecture Degree in 1965.
He moved to Charlotte after graduation to join the firm of Odell Associates.
Five years later, in 1970, he received a Master of City Planning Degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
In 1971, Mr. Gantt returned to Charlotte to open Gantt Huberman Architects, an architectural firm he co-founded with Jeff Huberman.
The firm has won numerous local, regional, and national design awards, and in 2006, AIA North Carolina presented Gantt's Firm with the 2006 Firm Award.
This honor is the highest honor the Chapter can bestow upon a firm that has consistently produced quality architecture and demonstrated Owner satisfaction.
Mr. Gantt is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Organization of Minority Architects.
The American Institute of Architects paid due recognition to Harvey Gantt in 1987 by making him a Fellow in the Institute.
Mr. Gantt has served on the NC Board of Architecture, the AIA National Minority Services Committee, juror on numerous design awards programs, and member of accreditation committees at Howard University and Southern University Schools of Architecture.
Mr. Gantt has been a lecturer and visiting critic at colleges and universities nationwide, including Hampton, Yale, Cornell, Michigan, MIT, Mississippi State, Tuskegee, A&T, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, LSU, and others.
Mr. Gantt has devoted a substantial amount of time speaking to other architects nationally.
His primary focus has been to make the case that the growing problems of the urban areas of our country demand a more activist role for architects in shaping public policy.
He was chairman of the National Capital Planning Commission, appointed by President Bill Clinton, from the year 1995 to the year 2000.
Mr. Gantt himself has been an activist in the political arena since 1974. He served more than three terms on the Charlotte City Council in the late 70’s. In 1981, he was made Mayor Pro-Tem. In 1983, he became Charlotte’s first African-American Mayor and went on to serve two successive terms in this city of better than 400,000 persons. Mr. Gantt’s tenure in Charlotte politics was one of unprecedented growth and development. He placed a great deal of emphasis on planning, revitalization of the inner city, housing, and managed growth.
In 1990 and 1996, Harvey Gantt ran for national office and challenged Jesse Helms in the North Carolina U.S. Senate race.
While unsuccessful in winning the senate seat, he has won national acclaim and respect for positions he took on education, health care, the environment, and his vision for improving the quality of life for all citizens.
Mr. Gantt has always believed in promoting education and in every child having an equal opportunity to grow, flourish, and succeed.
He was past co-chair of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) Task Force, and a member of CMS Board of Directors for the Public School Foundation.
He has been a board member of numerous cultural, civic, and business organizations including the Foundation for the Carolinas, CPCC Foundation, and Charlotte Center City Partners.
He currently serves as chairman of the Foundation for the Carolinas and is a past president of Crisis Assistance Ministry.
He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Nucor Corporation.
Mr. Gantt has received numerous awards, honors, and citations for local, regional, and national organizations.
Recently, Mr. Gantt has been recognized for his leadership and contribution to the Charlotte Community by being honored by the Charlotte Post with the "2007 Lifetime Achievement Award," by the Center City Partners with the "2008 Vision Award," and by The Afro-American Cultural Center which will name their new building "The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture".
Mr. Gantt also holds honorary doctorate degrees from eight colleges and universities.
Harvey Gantt is married to the former Lucinda Brawley. They have four adult children.
The Renaissance Foundation is delighted to welcome South Carolina native Mr. Harvey B. Gantt as its Unity Breakfast keynote speaker.
For ticket and sponsorship information, please CLICK HERE or contact The Renaissance Foundation at (803) 733-5634.
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