Mandy Carter
Biography
Mandy Carter is an American activist and organizer whose work spans racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, peace, and social justice movements. Born in Albany, New York, she became involved in nonviolent organizing through the War Resisters League and participated in the 1968 Poor People's Campaign. She moved to Durham, North Carolina, in 1982, where she established a long-term base for her Southern organizing.
Carter helped mobilize Black and LGBTQ+ voters during North Carolina's 1990 Senate campaign against Jesse Helms. In 1993, she co-founded Southerners On New Ground (SONG), connecting queer liberation with racial justice, economic justice, and other movements for social change. She later co-founded the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) in 2003.
Carter's work has also included cultural organizing, voter engagement, and movement history. Her papers are held by Duke University Libraries.
BQW Impact
Carter has been a major figure in Black lesbian and Southern LGBTQ+ organizing, connecting queer liberation with racial justice, economic justice, peace, and broader movements for social change. Through SONG, NBJC, voter organizing, and grassroots activism, she helped strengthen the visibility and participation of Black LGBTQ+ people within broader movements for civil rights and liberation.
Notable Works
Real Women Productions (1986 -1990)
Women's cultural organization co-founded by Carter in Durham that produced music, comedy, and dance events.
Senate Vote '90
Carter helped mobilize Black and LGBTQ+ voters across North Carolina during the campaign against Senator Jesse Helms.
Southerners On New Ground (1993)
Carter co-founded the Southern LGBTQ+ organization connecting queer liberation with racial justice, poverty, gender, and other social issues.
National Black Justice Coalition (2003)
Carter co-founded the national civil rights organization dedicated to empowering Black LGBTQ+ and same-gender-loving people.
We Have Not Been Moved (2012)
Collection co-edited by Carter, Elizabeth “Betita” Martínez, and Matt Meyer examining racial justice, militarism, and social movements.
Learn More
Duke University Libraries: Mandy Carter, Scientist of Activism
Institutional exhibition documenting Carter's life, organizing history, coalition-building, and contributions to Black LGBTQ+ movements.
LGBTQ Religious Archives Network: Mandy Carter
Biographical and archival profile documenting Carter's activism, organizational leadership, and LGBTQ+ movement history.
Carter's professional profile.