Former First Black Mayor Of Charlotte Reflects On Dr. King’s Legacy And Impact On Youth

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dozens of Johnson C. Smith University students and faculty gathered Thursday for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. ‘Voices of Freedom’ breakfast. 

The event honors Dr. King  and his legacy while also striving to continue his work

This year Harvey Gantt spoke to students and faculty – as Charlotte’s first black mayor and also the first black student to attend Clemson university, Gantt has long been a trailblazer.

The 81- year- old vividly remembers Dr. King’s ‘I have a dream’ speech and hopes students today will continue to fulfill king’s dream. 

“No matter how young they are. Whether they’re freshman, seniors, or graduate students there is a responsibility to care about the community and try to build a better community’” Gant said. 

Gantt also talked about youth gun violence. It comes just days after a 17-year – old was killed on his walk home from Garinger High School.

” To the young people what we have to hope is that they begin to communicate better and settle their problems without deadly force,” Gantt said. 

His words of wisdom  already resonating with some in the audience. 

” I’m a firm believer of what he was also saying up there about the wisdom of the elders so that way it can guide and mold the young people to do the right thing,” Former JCSU student Ryan Dillon said. 

Gantt leaving the message that everyone plays a role in creating change. 

“Everybody has got a responsibility to do something. That’s the way I looked at it when I was young and I want them to do the same.”