Harvey Gantt
Encyclopedia
Harvey Bernard Gantt is an American
architect and Democratic
politician
active in North Carolina
. He was Mayor of Charlotte from 1983 to 1987, and ran twice for the United States Senate
.
In 1963, he was the first African American
to be admitted to Clemson University
in South Carolina. He received a degree in architecture
with Honors from Clemson and a Master's degree in City Planning from MIT.
From 1974 until 1983, Gantt served on the Charlotte City Council. He was then elected and re-elected as the first African-American mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
, serving in that position from 1983 to 1987. He was defeated for a third term as mayor in 1987 by Sue Myrick. A Democrat
, he staged two unsuccessful U.S. Senatorial campaigns against Republican
Jesse Helms
in 1990
and in 1996
.
He manages a successful architectural practice, Gantt Huberman Architects, and remains active in politics, having served on the North Carolina Democratic Party
Executive Council, the Democratic National Committee
, and as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission
.
His daughter, Sonja Gantt, is a news anchor at WCNC-TV
in Charlotte.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
architect and Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
active in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
. He was Mayor of Charlotte from 1983 to 1987, and ran twice for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
In 1963, he was the first African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
to be admitted to Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
in South Carolina. He received a degree in architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
with Honors from Clemson and a Master's degree in City Planning from MIT.
From 1974 until 1983, Gantt served on the Charlotte City Council. He was then elected and re-elected as the first African-American mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, serving in that position from 1983 to 1987. He was defeated for a third term as mayor in 1987 by Sue Myrick. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he staged two unsuccessful U.S. Senatorial campaigns against Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
in 1990
United States Senate election in North Carolina, 1990
The North Carolina United States Senate election of 1990 was held on 6 November 1990 as part of the nation-wide elections to the Senate. The general election was fought between the Republican incumbent Jesse Helms and the Democrat nominee Mayor of Charlotte Harvey Gantt...
and in 1996
United States Senate election in North Carolina, 1996
The North Carolina United States Senate election of 1996 was held on 5 November 1996 as part of the nation-wide elections to the Senate, and coinciding with the 1996 presidential election. The general election was a rematch of the 1990 election: between the Republican incumbent Jesse Helms and the...
.
He manages a successful architectural practice, Gantt Huberman Architects, and remains active in politics, having served on the North Carolina Democratic Party
North Carolina Democratic Party
The North Carolina Democratic Party is the North Carolina affiliate of the national Democratic Party in the United States. It is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. They are located in the historic Goodwin house which is located in the downtown area of Raleigh at 220 Hillsborough Street...
Executive Council, the Democratic National Committee
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
, and as chair of the National Capital Planning Commission
National Capital Planning Commission
The National Capital Planning Commission is a U.S. government agency that provides planning guidance for Washington, D.C. and the surrounding National Capital Region...
.
His daughter, Sonja Gantt, is a news anchor at WCNC-TV
WCNC-TV
WCNC-TV is the NBC affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 22 and is carried on cable channel 6 on most area cable systems. It is owned by the Belo Corporation...
in Charlotte.