Explore the remarkable life of Clifton R. Wharton Jr., the trailblazing figure who broke down racial boundaries in four different professions during the American Civil War. From being the youngest student at Harvard at the age of sixteen to being the first Black president of Michigan State University and then becoming the first CEO of TIAA-CREF, his story is a testament to the strength of perseverance and hard work.

Wharton and his extraordinary wife, Dolores, not only dismantled boundaries but also created enduring connections across many groups. This personal account shows how their collaboration sparked revolutionary shifts in public service, business, and education. From academic halls to business boardrooms and, eventually, to the corridors of power as Deputy Secretary of State, Wharton's strategic genius and unshakeable ideals transformed American leadership through both personal difficulties and public victories.

Learn the little-known tale of a man who transformed challenges into opportunities and whose impact extends from the Canary Islands, where he grew up, to the highest echelons of American politics. Discover the life of a real American trailblazer whose legacy inspires generations to come through the Wharton Center for Performing Arts and several educational programs.

More than a biography, this celebrates education, tenacity, and human potential. Come learn about the life of a man whose influence continues to influence America's future and who demonstrated that brilliance transcends racial boundaries.