Biographical Conversations with... | UNC-TV

Though Mr. Gantt lost his bid for a third Mayoral term to Sue Myrick in 1987, he was back on the campaign trail three years later, to take a leading role in one of the most talked-about and followed races of 1990. Mr. Gantt’s bid to unseat the four-term incumbent Republican Senator Jesse Helms became an international news story.

Episode two of Biographical Conversations with Harvey Gantt explores the political path that led him to become a City Council member and the Mayor of Charlotte.

Episode one of Biographical Conversations with Harvey Gantt traces the future Charlotte mayor’s path from his childhood in Charleston, SC, to his solo integration of Clemson University, at the age of 20, in January 1963.

In Episode 3 of Biographical Conversations with Eva Clayton begins with the five-term US Representatives’ recollections of the 1994 mid-term elections, which saw Republicans assume majorities in both chambers of Congress. Eva Clayton shares insights to what forced the government into two government shutdowns, which lead to some government workers being furloughed…other people—services were denied

In episode 2 of Biographical Conversations with Eva Clayton, after her 1968 congressional campaign, Mrs. Clayton decided to devote her time and energy to Soul City, a project funded by the federal government. Eva Clayton worked closely with the Civil Rights pioneer and attorney Floyd McKissick in creating a new town model that featured a design for an entire community.

In episode 1 of Biographical Conversations with Eva Clayton, the future US Representative discusses her childhood in Augusta, Georgia. The show also reflects on Eva Clayton’s high school and college eras, as well as, the time she met and married her husband, TT Clayton. The shows final minutes shares with viewers how Eva Clayton and her husband were first attracted to politics.

Despite his passionate embrace of African heritage and tradition, Chuck Davis did not get to travel to the continent until the late 1970s. But as he explains in Episode 3 of Biographical Conversations with Chuck Davis, it was worth the wait. “It’s a different feeling when you are on the sacred Earth. From the land where you know all of life form began.

Episode 2 begins with Dr. Davis’ first performances in New York City, as a member of the legendary drummer Babatunda Olatunji’s company. Dr. Davis reveled in the city’s vibrant culture, and recalls an encounter with Duke Ellington. In the meantime, Dr. Davis studied a wide spectrum of dance, sneaking into Julliard to catch a class with the Martha Graham.

In Episode 1 of Biographical Conversations with Chuck Davis, the dance maestro describes his childhood in a close-knit neighborhood of Raleigh. “Nowadays, says Dr. Davis, we have adopted the old Nigerian adage that it takes a village to raise a child. In our community, that was taken for granted. Young Charles Davis grew up surrounded by elders who demanded respect. “

Episode 3 of Biographical Conversations with Bob Timberlake shares how the artist, in 1991, had expanded his business to include making furniture. Timberlake's furniture has continued to enthrall. And though his pieces are among the most popular in the world, he has insisted that his furniture continues to be made in the USA. An entrepreneur who has fought and successfully against outsourcing..

Episode Two begins with Bob giving his account of viewing an issue of Life Magazine and being inspired by artist Andrew Wyeth to paint. Then, in 1969, Bob began to paint full-time and later had his first show, at the Gallery of Contemporary Art, in Old Salem. Timberlake's painting career continued to expand with showing his works at national galleries.

Episode One of Biographical Conversations with Bob Timberlake begins with Bob sharing the Timberlake's family history.Bob tells of the heroic tale of two Revolutionary War soldiers who fought in the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, against the British general Charles Cornwallis. The two war heroes, Leonid Valentin and Woolrich Fritz, were both assassinated on the same night by British mercenaries.

Episode 3 of Biographical Conversations with Jim Gardner, the Republican statesman talks about the barbecue restaurants he opened with his brother. Mr. Gardner also talks about Jim Martin winning the 1984 North Carolina Governorship and the Jim Martin's reelection in 1988. Mr. Gardner concludes the show with some reflections of North Carolina Republicans have made during the past half-century.

Jim Gardner recalls his early political years serving as an NC US House member and being sword into office by George H.W. Bush. “The show also reveals why Mr. Gardner felt isolated during his two years in the House; a conservative Republican in a chamber dominated by Democrats. He tells why in 1968, he made the decision to run for North Carolina governor rather than seek another house term.

Much of Part 3 of Biographical Conversations with Wendell Murphy focuses on the challenges confronting Mr. Murphy during the later part of his tenure as chief executive officer of Murphy Family Farms. By now the top hog-producing company in the nation, the Murphy enterprise was on the front line of any controversy surrounding the effects of the industry upon the environment. In a 1995 series of reports, the Raleigh News and Observer investigated that topic. It also examined Wendell Murphy’s career as a legislator, and suggested that the hog-farming entrepreneur used his political influence to loosen environmental restrictions on agriculture laws. The N&O reports won a Pulitzer Prize. It also had a tremendous personal impact on Wendell Murphy.

Much of Part 3 of Biographical Conversations with Wendell Murphy focuses on the challenges confronting Mr. Murphy during the later part of his tenure as chief executive officer of Murphy Family Farms. By now the top hog-producing company in the nation, the Murphy enterprise was on the front line of any controversy surrounding the effects of the industry upon the environment. In a 1995 series of reports, the Raleigh News and Observer investigated that topic. It also examined Wendell Murphy’s career as a legislator, and suggested that the hog-farming entrepreneur used his political influence to loosen environmental restrictions on agriculture laws. The N&O reports won a Pulitzer Prize. It also had a tremendous personal impact on Wendell Murphy.

Episode 2 of Biographical Conversations with Wendell Murphy describes a booming and rapidly expanding opportunities for the young entrepreneur. Soaring profits from grinding feed allowed Murphy to pay off his bank loans almost immediately, and the father-and-son team decided to extend their business, raising a few hogs on their property as well. Within a few months it became clear that raising hogs was more profitable than providing food for other farmers; by 1968, the Murphys stopped selling feed completely and devoted themselves solely to harm farming.

Born on a small family farm in Eastern North Carolina during the midst of the Great Depression, Wendell Murphy learned the merits of hard work from his father, Norman Holmes Murphy. "Somehow it was ingrained at in him that he had to work almost every day, all day long, at something,"Wendell Murphy says of his father. "He didn’t want to do things the easy way."

Biographical Conversations with Henry Frye shares how Henry Frye served as the first African American assistant district attorney in the South, after Robert Kennedy appointed him in 1963. He had also became the first African American to win a seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives, when he triumphed in the 1968 election.

Biographical Conversations with Henry Frye highlights Henry Frye's graduation from of University of North Carolina Law School in 1959, and opened his own practice in Greensboro.

Biographical Conversations with Henry Frye traces the future statesman’s journey from farmer’s son to law school graduate. The eighth of Walter and Pearl Frye’s twelve children, Henry Eli Frye was born in August 1932 in Ellerbe, North Carolina, and spent his early years toiling on his father’s farm.

The fourth and final episode of Biographical Conversations with General Hugh Shelton focuses on his tenure as Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff - a term that spanned four years and two presidents. Nominated to the position by President Bill Clinton in 1997. Within weeks he was advising the President and his cabinet on strategies to weaken the al-Qaeda network, led by Osama bid Laden.

Episode 3 of Biographical Conversations with General Hugh Shelton discusses the military leader’s rise in the ranks. Beginning with a 1972 move to Alabama so the then-Major could attend the Air Command Staff College at Maxwell Air Force, to North Carolina, in 1991, to command the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg.

Episode 2 of Biographical Conversations with Hugh Shelton explores his two perilous tours of Vietnam. Days after he arrives for the first time in Southeast Asia, Lieutenant Shelton is assigned to Project Delta, an outfit known for its highly dangerous missions.

The first episode of Biographical Conversations with General Hugh Shelton introduces the future military leader with a lively discussion that spans from his childhood to his early years as an Army officer.

John Medlin retraces his steps to becoming the top Chief Operations Officer at Wachovia Bank. John Medlin also shares some of Wachovia's sacred business principles that earned the company great success in the banking industry.

John Medlin recalls the unexpected message left by one of the bank's greatest predecessors, after he became Wachovia CEO. John Medlin also shares how he expanded the company's banking business beyond the North Carolina borders.

Junior Johnson retires from racing to manage his own racecar company. His company, Junior Johnson and Associates, raced into NASCAR history by setting a number of winning records before Junior retired in 1995.

Junior Johnson retires from racing to manage his own racecar company. His company, Junior Johnson and Associates, raced into NASCAR history by setting a number of winning records before Junior retired in 1995.

Junior Johnson decides to leave the troubling moonshine business for a promising career in racecar driving. Junior's early racing success led to winning the 1960 Daytona 500. His Daytona win help propel him to the front of an elite team of early NASCAR legends.

Junior Johnson decides to leave the troubling moonshine business for a promising career in racecar driving. Junior's early racing success led to winning the 1960 Daytona 500. His Daytona win help propel him to the front of an elite team of early NASCAR legends.

Serving the State Part three of Biographical Conversations with Howard N. Lee explores the pioneers' political career; his three terms as mayor Chapel Hill, which culminated in the public bus system he brought to the city in 1973; his ground-breaking selection as secretary of the Department of Natural and Economic Resources in Governor Hunt's state cabinet in 1977; his terms as state senator; and his ensuing entry into the North Carolina educational leadership.modern, and multi-cultural leader in the New South.

From Korea to Chapel Hill Episode 2 of Biographical Conversations with Howard N. Lee traces the future educational director from his army days to his successful and barrier-breaking mayoral candidacy. In 1959, freshly armed with a college degree, Private Howard N. Lee traveled from basic training in Fort Bening, GA, to Fort Sam Houston in Texas for six weeks of medical training. So highly successful at Fort Sam Houston that he was invited to apply to officer candidacy school (an offer he declined), Private Lee fully expected to be reassigned to the same base. Instead, his orders placed him at Fort Hood, where he would no longer be training as a medical corpsman, but instead, working in the motor pool.

Child In Georgia In Biographical Conversations with Howard N. Lee, we explore the many contributions of this legendary North Carolina politician. This original series takes a penetrating look at the life and times of the renowned North Carolina statesman, from his election as mayor Chapel Hill in 1969 - making him the first African American mayor of a predominantly white southern city - to his service in the state legislature to being the first African American to serve in the state cabinet. Howard Lee helped shepherd North Carolina through its transition to a dynamic, modern, and multi-cultural leader in the New South.

Secretary of Cultural Resources In part three of Biographical Conversations with Betty Ray McCain, McCain describes the U.S. Senatorial campaign of 1984--a race between Governor Jim Hunt and Senator Jesse Helms. Although Hunt launched the campaign with a double-digit lead over the Republican incumbent, his advantage eroded. By the beginning of November, polls showed Senator Helms leading Governor Hunt by three points. On Election Day, despite what McCain calls, "a superhuman effort by everybody that worked in every precinct, in every county, in every congressional district and throughout the state," Helms prevailed.

Head of the Party Episode Two of Biographical Conversations with Betty Ray McCain takes us to Wilson, North Carolina, where the McCains moved in 1956. Dr. McCain took a position at Wilson Memorial Hospital, eventually serving as chief of staff. The couple moved into their Wilson home just in time to welcome their first child, Paul Pressly McCain. Two years later, the family expanded again with the birth of Paul’s sister, Mary Eloise McCain. Despite diapers and bottles, McCain found the time to roll up her sleeves and work for the Democratic Party. She volunteered for the 1960 Terry Sanford gubernatorial campaign and, four years later, worked for Richardson Preyer in the Democratic primary. Preyer’s loss to eventual governor Dan Moore broke her heart, yet she still canvassed for Moore because, she offers, “as Jim Hunt and Terry Sanford teach you, you’ve got to come back together.

Fireball from Faison In episode one of Biographical Conversations with Betty Ray McCain, McCain shares stories and memories of her colorful childhood in Faison, North Carolina. She calls her father, Horace Ray, and her mother, Mary Perret Ray, the dearest, sweetest people.

To The Mansion Episode four of Biographical Conversations with James B. Hunt, Jr. focuses on Hunt’s final two terms as governor of North Carolina. Hunt begins by noting how he had changed in the eight years since he left office. He ran unsuccessfully for Jesse Helms’ U.S. Senate seat in 1984; returned to practicing law in 1985; and became a grandfather.

The First Two Terms Part 3 of 4 Running for the Senate Biographical Conversations with James B. Hunt, Jr. begins with Hunt's recollections of President Ronald Reagan, elected to the country's highest office in 1980. Though critical of some of Reagan’s policies—such as the president's tax cuts—Governor Hunt respected the charismatic leader’s positive attitude. "For him it was always morning in America," Hunt says of the 40th president. Reagan’s optimism made him the overwhelming favorite to win reelection in 1984. Throughout his presidency, Reagan remained enormously popular among North Carolina Republicans and Independents, as well as some Tar Heel Democrats.

The First Two Terms Part 2 of 4 In part two of Biographical Conversations with James B. Hunt, Jr., Governor Hunt discusses his four-year term as lieutenant governor, as well as his first two terms as governor. He begins with recollections of Bob Scott, who served as governor from 1968 to 1972, and then describes his own first campaign for statewide office, announcing his candidacy for lieutenant governor in 1971.

Early Life and Political Career Part 1 of 4 In part one of the four-part Biographical Conversations with James B. Hunt, Jr. series, North Carolina Governor James Hunt takes you from his childhood on his family’s Rock Ridge, N.C., farm through his political beginnings as president of the Wilson County Young Democrats Club.

The UNC Board of Governors Part 3 of 3 In the final installment of Biographical Conversations with…Jim Holshouser , the renowned public servant candidly recounts his life after the Governor’s mansion, his return to private law practice, his work on the UNC Board of Governors and political and public service as a way of life.