Buildings he’s designed dot the Charlotte skyline and civic initiatives he’s led have made their mark on human relations and civil rights. For five decades, Former Mayor Harvey Gantt has made the city better with bricks, mortar, concrete, and steel, as well as with social and political improvement initiatives.
For those reasons and many more, Gantt was a perfect fit for the Charlotte Rotary’s Excellence in Leadership award. The Charlotte Rotary honored him at a luncheon on Feb. 15. Gantt is the 33rd recipient of the award.
Leading Gantt-Huberman Architects, the former mayor and city councilman designed such well-known Charlotte buildings as UNC Charlotte Center City, Transamerica Square, the Charlotte Transportation Center and ImaginOn.
Gantt told the attendees at the luncheon that he remains excited about the growth happening in the Charlotte Region, but said it will require smart planning and strong leadership to meet the ever-changing needs of a dynamic community.
“It’s going to take great political leadership as well as terrific business leadership,” Gantt said.
Gantt’s efforts toward improved race relations and enhanced upward economic mobility have earned him many accolades, including his name on the former Afro-American Cultural Center, now the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture.
The humanitarian and civil rights champion was asked whether he believes people are doing a better job of uniting. Gantt was torn.
“When I read the newspapers, I see a growing racial divide,” Gantt said. “When I meet my friends in this room, I don’t see it. How do you explain that?”
Gantt said he believes people try to get along in person, but the divides are still undeniable.
“Nationally, you would have to have your head buried in the sand not to see,” Gantt said. “People are moving into their own silos, defined by race, politics, or whatever. And that can’t be good for America. That can’t be good even for Charlotte.”
Gantt challenged the people in the room to begin having frank, honest conversations with each other about race, and to hold others accountable when they are adding to the divisiveness.
Gantt said he wants to see more companies expand diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
“To make sure the workplace looks like America, to make sure the workplace is equitable and fair, making sure it is examining everything from hiring policies to wages to elevation and promotion and then, of course, inclusion,” Gantt said.
The former mayor challenged the leaders in the room to look inward in order to affect real change.
“This has got to be generated from the heart,” Gantt said. “It’s got to have leaders that believe we’ve got a better America when we really have a chance for all people to advance.”
