Fred Jonathan Carnage was born in Thomasville, Georgia on April 16, 1894. He graduated from Morgan State College in Baltimore, Maryland. He received his law degree from Howard University in 1926. He became the first African-American to be appointed to the Raleigh Board of Education in 1949. He held his seat on the board from 1949 to 1962. His demeanor and stature helped to begin to bridge the gulf that defined separate and unequal in the days of segregation. He was honored with a junior high school named after him in September of 1965. Fred J. Carnage GT/AIG Magnet Middle School is symbolic of the excellence in education that Mr. Carnage strived to provide for all children so many years ago. Fred J. Carnage passed away on March 5, 1988 at the age of 93.

“The naming of this new school in honor of Mr. Carnage is symbolic of the confidence of the Board and the citizens of Raleigh in the unselfish service and integrity of a voluntary public servant. We have often read of immortality of the soul, but of this we have no doubt: As long as the school system in Raleigh exists, the name of Fred J. Carnage will be immortal for generations, yea centuries to come.”

Article from The Carolinian, December 14, 1963