Dr. Herbert Carter

Dr. Herbert Carter grew up in small towns in Arkansas, raised primarily by his grandfather. He attended a newly-opened African American high school and went to college at the local African American college. He moved to Los Angeles after graduating and began as a busboy at the Belmont Hotel. After working a few different odd jobs, Dr. Carter passed the test to begin working as a probations officer. He met John Allen Buggs, who transferred Dr. Carter to the Human Relations Commission where he worked with college students and law enforcement agencies. Dr. Herbert was promoted to head of the Human Relations commission after the Watts Uprising, and he became more involved in community work in his new role. Partnering with the Brotherhood Crusade, he started the Federation of Black Organizations and a Research Center for Black individuals working to understand the circumstances around the Watts Uprising. After working with Cal State Northridge to meet the demands of students who were calling for diversity measures on campus, Dr. Herbert was invited to serve as the head of their Affirmative Action department and went on to become the CEO of the university system. He also worked for United Way for three years before returning to become a university President and serve on the Board of Trustees for the university system. Dr. Herbert met his wife when she was the secretary at a Black-owned bank in Los Angeles and the two have been married for over forty years.