Harvey Gantt Oral History Interview

Harvey Gantt was born on Yonges Island, South Carolina, where his family had lived and farmed for generations, but grew up in Charleston to be closer to one of the state’s few Black high schools. While studying architecture at Iowa State University, he sought transfer admission to South Carolina’s Clemson College and was represented by LDF in the 1963 school desegregation case Gantt v. Clemson. With the help of LDF’s Constance Baker Motley, Gantt’s victory forced South Carolina’s higher education institutions to admit Black students. He went on to have successful careers in both architecture and politics, leading several trailblazing political campaigns and becoming Charlotte’s first Black mayor.

Highlighted excerpt:

Harvey Gantt reflects on his impression of LDF attorneys

Full Interview

2023

Oral History

Harvey Gantt Interview Transcript

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Cite this item:

Harvey Gantt interview for the Legal Defense Fund Oral History Project. Interviewed by Melody Hunter-Pillion on March 23, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Conducted in collaboration with the Southern Oral History Program at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.