In 1960, a talented African American student from Charleston, Harvey Gantt, graduated from high school and decided to become an architect. Clemson College was the only school in South Carolina that offered a degree in his chosen field. In January of 1963, with the help of NAACP lawyer Matthew J. Perry, Gantt won a lawsuit against Clemson and was peacefully admitted to the college, making him the first African American student to attend a formerly all-white school in South Carolina.
The program is narrated by Tony Award-winning actress and singer Phylicia Rashād and features historic civil rights photographs by Cecil Williams.
Closed captioning has been provided for this broadcast program.
Video
In the 1950s and early 1960s, Southern states fought against desegregation, and the last state to comply was South Carolina. In 1963, Harvey Gantt was able to peacefully integrate Clemson College...
Video
When Harvey was a junior at Burke High School, he joined the NAACP Youth, and then in February, 1960, the “sit-in” protests began, with which the NAACP became heavily involved. These “sit-ins” became...
Video
Leaders at Clemson University, and some state legislators attempted to resist the result of the case, but all efforts to overturn the decision were denied. Senator Marion Gressette called for peaceful...
Document
In 1960, a talented African-American student from Charleston, Harvey Gantt, graduated from high school and decided to become an architect. Clemson College was the only school in South Carolina that...
