Rep. Melvin L. Watt
Description:
In this interview, Melvin Watt, born August 26, 1945 in southwestern Mecklenburg County, N.C., discusses his childhood in Charlotte, including his experiences in the segregated schools of the 1950s and early 1960s. Watt continues on to share memories of being studious as an undergraduate at UNC and then gaining admission to Yale Law School. He talks about working with Julius Chambers and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund early in his career and then entering private practice with a focus in business law. He emphasizes values of unselfishness and honesty. Finally, Watt describes his political career, including his role as campaign manager for Harvey Gantt and his own time in the N.C. Senate and in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Link to Audio / Transcript: