President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at the remarkable age of 100, will be laid to rest on Thursday, January 9th. He leaves behind an enduring legacy of equity, compassion, and progress. As the oldest living president in U.S. history, Carter’s time in office (1977–1981) was marked by his commitment to improving the lives of all Americans, particularly marginalized communities. His presidency holds personal significance for me: I was born in 1976, the year he was elected, in Atlanta, Georgia—a city shaped by the Civil Rights Movement and the struggles of working-class families.
My mother gave birth to me at the age of 16. She and my father faced significant challenges raising a child while navigating the realities of poverty in a working-class community. Despite these obstacles, programs like Job Corps were vital in helping them overcome those difficulties. Born into a poverty-stricken community, I am a direct beneficiary of the opportunities created by Carter’s policies. His leadership helped families like mine transition from working-class to middle-class, enabling us to build a foundation for better futures.
Carter’s influence extended beyond his policies. During his presidency, he appointed Andrew Young as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, making Young the first African-American to hold this prestigious position. This groundbreaking appointment symbolized Carter’s commitment to diversity and civil rights, while Young’s leadership on the global stage became a source of inspiration for generations of African-Americans.
In 2007, when my wife, Kelli, and I established the LEAD Center for Youth, we created the Ambassadors program—the highest level of our programming—in honor of U.S. Ambassador Andrew Young. His legacy of leadership, advocacy, and breaking barriers serves as a guiding light for our work in empowering Black youth to overcome crime, poverty, and racism.
Today, as I reflect on Carter’s legacy, here are three key ways his presidency improved the lives of African-Americans and positioned us for progress:
- Expanding Economic Opportunities
Carter prioritized job creation and workforce development, particularly for underserved communities. Programs like the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) and initiatives supporting Job Corps were instrumental. Job Corps was a lifeline for my mother, providing her with the training and skills needed to secure stable employment and support our family.
I vividly remember, as a child, walking with my mother from Job Corps to the MARTA station to get back to our apartments on Hollywood Road in Bankhead. The skills and opportunities she and my father gained through programs like Job Corps were life-changing, helping them break cycles of poverty and achieve upward mobility.
- Championing Affordable Housing
Carter’s commitment to affordable housing included expanding federal housing programs and revitalizing urban areas. His efforts provided families like mine the chance to live in stable, safe environments. Later in his life, Carter’s work with Habitat for Humanity solidified his role as a champion for housing equality, reinforcing the foundation he built during his presidency.
- Advancing Civil Rights and Representation
Carter actively worked to advance civil rights by appointing a record number of African-Americans to federal positions, including judgeships. His appointment of Andrew Young as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations also marked a milestone in representation. These actions broke down barriers and set a precedent for leadership and advocacy, inspiring new generations of African-American leaders.
For those of us born during Carter’s presidency, his policies served as stepping stones to opportunity. The pathways he created helped my family and countless others build better lives. His leadership was not just about policies—it was about empowering people to rise above their circumstances.
Thank you, President Carter, for your unwavering dedication to equity and humanity. Your impact will be felt for generations. May you rest in peace knowing the lives you transformed.
