Famous Black leaders from across the nation have paid heartfelt tributes to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 100.
Carter, the longest-lived president in U.S. history, died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia, according to his son. A Nobel Peace Prize laureate, humanitarian, and the 39th president of the United States, Carter is survived by his four children and numerous grandchildren. His wife, Rosalynn Carter, preceded him in death in November 2023 at the age of 96.
Leaders praised Carter’s enduring legacy of civil rights advocacy, humanitarian efforts, and principled leadership, expressing condolences to his family and reflecting on the profound impact of his life and work.
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Former President Barack Obama, in a statement on Medium, honored Carter for his unwavering integrity and compassion. “Whenever I had a chance to spend time with President Carter, it was clear that he didn’t just profess these values—he embodied them,” Obama wrote. “In his Nobel acceptance speech, President Carter said, ‘God gives us the capacity for choice. We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace.’ He made that choice again and again over the course of his 100 years, and the world is better for it.”
President Carter taught all of us what it means to live a life of grace, dignity, justice, and service. Michelle and I send our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, and everyone who loved and learned from this remarkable man. https://t.co/dZHL0Nu0Tj
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) December 29, 2024
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NAACP President Derrick Johnson remembered Carter as a champion of civil rights and a model of true leadership. “Jimmy Carter not only championed civil rights as POTUS—setting a record for Black appointments, including the first Black woman in a cabinet—but he devoted his life to human rights,” Johnson wrote. “He served all Americans and embodied true leadership. #RestInPower, Mr. President.”
Jimmy Carter not only championed civil rights as POTUS — where he set a record for Black appointments, including the first Black woman in a cabinet — but he devoted his life to human rights.
— Derrick Johnson (@DerrickNAACP) December 30, 2024
He served all Americans and embodied true leadership. #RestInPower, Mr. President.
The Georgia NAACP echoed these sentiments, highlighting Carter’s enduring contributions to social justice. “President Carter’s commitment to civil rights, democracy, and the eradication of poverty left an indelible mark not only on Georgia but on the world,” the organization stated.
Senator Cory Booker reflected on Carter’s influence from an early age, recalling a grade school mock election where he proudly voted for him. “He embodied so many of the qualities I hold dear—service, leadership, discipline, grace, kindness, and living your faith more than speaking your faith. But perhaps the value he epitomized most to me was radical love,” Booker wrote.
When I was in grade school, our teacher had a mock election in our class and I was so proud to vote for Jimmy Carter. He embodied so many of the qualities I hold dear – service, leadership, discipline, grace, kindness, and living your faith more than speaking your faith. But… pic.twitter.com/6cCujeY5wT
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) December 29, 2024
Janai Nelson, President and Director-Counsel of the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), honored Carter’s transformative leadership. “We deeply mourn the loss of President Jimmy Carter, an ardent torchbearer of human and civil rights whose steadfast commitment and advocacy to ensure equal opportunity for all transformed the nation,” Nelson wrote.
LDF deeply mourns the loss of President Jimmy Carter. A champion of racial justice and human rights, his powerful legacy demands that we reflect on what we want for America’s tomorrow and for presidential leadership. https://t.co/4u1K0HSzlG pic.twitter.com/u9usN17fmF
— Legal Defense Fund (@NAACP_LDF) December 30, 2024
Georgia’s Stacey Abrams also offered a heartfelt tribute, saying, “President Jimmy Carter lived a life of courage, fortitude, kindness, and grace. He was a giant who never saw anyone as smaller than himself. Jimmy Carter built homes, saved lives, and tended to souls. God bless President Carter, and may his family find comfort in these days of grief.”
President Jimmy Carter lived a life of courage, fortitude, kindness and grace. He was a giant who never saw anyone as smaller than himself. Whether at a Boys & Girls Club banquet or when he sponsored a medical clinic for the uninsured in his corner of rural Georgia, he lived… pic.twitter.com/bm6a66cw2Q
— Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) December 29, 2024
Carter served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981, defeating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford in the 1976 election. Following his presidency, Carter dedicated his life to humanitarian work, including nearly four decades of service with Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes and strengthen communities worldwide.
