The autobiography of a local and national leader in education and civil rights Carver Clark Gayton’s story bears witness to Seattle’s experience of race and the importance of family, teachers, teamwork, and building bridges in the context of the civil rights movement. It is a timely story, written by a Seattle native with deep perspective on the last century. From his family roots in slavery and abolition, his young life in the Seattle public school system, his sports career as a Husky football player and assistant coach, to his long career at Boeing and his civic activities, Gayton draws on his experiences to highlight the tension of being Black in America. His odyssey is shaped by the necessity of taking a stand, or as Mississippi voting rights leader Fannie Lou Hamer put it, being “in the mess,” and by the inspiration and hope drawn from leaders like his great-grandfather Lewis Clarke, who wrote, “You and your generation and those who are coming after you can never know or feel what we who have been slaves endured. You are surrounded by golden opportunities such as I never dreamed would come.” "Carver’s remarkable life journey powerfully demonstrates how individuals―family, teachers, teammates, colleagues, and managers―can profoundly shape a person’s life through even the smallest gestures or interactions. These bonds and interactions can provide the strength, courage, and moral compass to stand up for others and to do the right thing, and in turn, instigate change."―Gary Locke, former US Secretary of Commerce, Washington Governor and Ambassador to China "This book follows the incredible story of Carver’s life and family, from the influence of his great-grandfather, an escaped slave and a major figure in the abolitionist movement, to the strategies Carver has used in his lifelong pursuit to make his community a better place. Carver’s odyssey has been a powerful journey of overcoming obstacles with resolve instead of anger."―Les Biller, CEO of Harborview Capital, The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation "Carver Gayton is a masterful storyteller. This book will do for you what it did for me―bring you joy, bring you to tears, and give you greater insight. It is a memoir that will make readers everywhere more humane and connected people. Carver is a Seattle living legend of national impact. I cannot recommend this book enough! It is a treasure, written by a treasure―a double diamond."―Lanesha DeBardelaben, former President and CEO of Northwest African American Museum The autobiography of a local and national leader in education and civil rights Carver Clark Gayton is a longtime leader in education reform and workforce training. In addition to his nearly two decades at Boeing, his past positions include FBI agent, director of Affirmative Action Programs at the University of Washington, commissioner of the Washington State Employment Security Department, and executive director of the Northwest African American Museum. He lives in Seattle.