Harvey Gantt
Harvey Gantt Mayor of the City of Charlotte In office 1983–1987 Preceded by Eddie Knox Succeeded by Sue Myrick Charlotte City Council In office 1974–1983 Personal details Born Harvey Bernard Gantt 1943 Charleston, South Carolina Political party Democratic Children 4 Residence Charlotte, North Carolina Alma mater Clemson University Harvey Bernard Gantt (born 1943) is an American architect and Democratic politician active in North Carolina. The first African-American student to be admitted to Clemson University after attending Iowa State university. He graduated from Clemson with honors in architecture, earned a master's at MIT, and established a practice in Charlotte with a partner. Gantt entered local politics, where he was elected to the city council, serving from 1974 to 1983. He was elected to two terms as the first black Mayor of Charlotte from 1983 to 1987. In the 1990s, he ran twice for the United States Senate against Jesse Helms, losing each time.