Contact us 1.800.698.2536
Search by Speaker Name or Topic

Harvey Gantt

Civil Rights Activist, Architect & Former Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina; First African-American Student Admitted to Clemson University

Harvey Gantt
Travels From Travels From:
Charlotte, NC, USA
Speaking Fee Speaking Fee:
Live Event: Please Contact
Virtual Event: Please Contact
More Fee Info
Categories Categories:
Categories Categories:
Architecture, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Design, Liberal, Political, Social Activism, Social Justice
REQUEST BOOKING INFORMATION

Harvey Gantt Biography

Harvey Bernard Gantt grew up in the 1940s and 50s in then-segregated Charleston, South Carolina. As the oldest child of Wilhelmina and Christopher Gantt, he often attended NAACP meetings with his father. It was there, and at the family dinner table with his four sisters, that he began to appreciate the importance of advocacy and the injustice of racial discrimination.

After graduating second in his class from Burke High School in 1960, Gantt left home to study architecture at Iowa State University. In January 1963, after a legal battle that escalated to the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, Gantt became the first African-American student accepted at Clemson University. In September 1963, Lucinda Brawley became the first African-American woman to be admitted to Clemson and in October 1964 married Harvey. Harvey Gantt graduated with honors from Clemson in 1965, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and later a Master of City Planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

He moved to Charlotte after graduating from MIT, and, in 1971, co-founded Gantt Huberman Architects. A pioneer in blending urban planning with the practice of architecture, Gantt Huberman employed a diverse group of professionals who were charged with designing buildings that encourage community. As a result, the firm has developed some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Charlotte Transportation Center, TransAmerica Square, ImaginOn, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, and the Johnson C. Smith University Science Center.

While significant, Gantt’s impact on the city extends beyond improving the built environment. He joined Charlotte City Council in 1974 and again broke barriers when he was elected Charlotte’s first African-American mayor in 1983. Remaining in office for two terms, Gantt stood shoulder-to-shoulder with other Charlotte leaders committed to establishing a New South City.

Gantt continues to advocate for equity and equal rights and is often tapped to serve on civic, cultural, and business boards, and to lead philanthropic efforts and community initiatives. In 2009, the former Afro-American Cultural Center opened its doors to a new, award-winning facility and was renamed the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in honor of Harvey B. Gantt, an American trailblazer.

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Harvey Gantt and other top speakers and celebrities.

BOOK Harvey Gantt

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 08/02/2024.

Harvey Gantt Videos

  • Carolina Impact: Harvey Gantt
    Carolina Impact: Harvey Gantt
    39 years ago, Harvey Gantt was elected Charlotte's first black mayor -- in a mostly white and definitely southern city. It was a defining moment...
  • Harvey Gantt made history in the Carolinas more than once
    Harvey Gantt made history in the Carolinas more than once
    Many know that Harvey Gantt was the first African-American mayor in Charlotte, but this piece focuses on another historical first: he was the first...
See All Videos »

FAQs on booking Harvey Gantt

  • How do I book Harvey Gantt to speak at my event?

    Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Harvey Gantt for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Harvey Gantt, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Harvey Gantt or any other speaker of your choice.

  • What are the speaker fees for Harvey Gantt

    Speaking fees for Harvey Gantt, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Harvey Gantt are for live events and for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Harvey Gantt, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

  • What topics does Harvey Gantt speak about?

    Harvey Gantt is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Architecture, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Civil Rights, Design, Liberal, Political, Social Activism, Social Justice.

  • Where does Harvey Gantt travel from?

    Harvey Gantt generally travels from Charlotte, NC, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.

  • Who is Harvey Gantt’s agent?

    AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully booked keynote speakers like Harvey Gantt for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Harvey Gantt for your next private or corporate function.

  • What is a full-service speaker booking agency?

    AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Harvey Gantt or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

  • Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

    If you’re looking for the best, unbiased speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.

Harvey Gantt is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Harvey Gantt for your event is available upon request. Harvey Gantt generally travels from Charlotte, NC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Dr. Marc Lamont Hill, Ijeoma Oluo, Bakari Sellers, Zerlina Maxwell and Maya L. Harris. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Harvey Gantt for an upcoming live or virtual event.

BOOK Harvey Gantt

Tell us about your event!

During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

  • Customized Service

    Our agents find the right fit for your event

  • Unparalleled Database

    Full access to all speakers & celebrities

  • One Stop Shopping

    A reliable and unbiased point of contact

  • Logistics Management

    Your personal Logistics Manager who takes care of all event details

Need Quick Answers?

We are happy to help! Call us to speak with a booking agent about your event or specific speaker request.

Sarah Miller
phone   1.800.698.2536
Our celebrity booking agents can:

  • Gauge interest and check availability for speaking engagements, appearances or corporate events

  • Provide you with the speaking fee to book Harvey Gantt or other celebrity appearance fees

  • Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities

  • Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

TOP