Clarence Lightner - Honors and Legacy

Honors and Legacy

In recognition of his achievements and support for higher education, Lightner was awarded honorary doctoral degrees from Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, and North Carolina Central University. He had served as chair of the Board of Trustees of Saint Augustine's College and as a member of the Board of Trustees of North Carolina State University for 10 years.

After Lightner died, his son Bruce founded the Clarence E. Lightner Youth Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to teach middle school students the importance of civic participation and community service. When asked about his father's legacy, Bruce said, "Helping young people to aspire to be as successful as they can in school and life. That would be his legacy."

In 2003, the state legislature passed a joint resolution honoring Lightner's life and achievements, noting his belief that "hat is essential is not the things we do separately, but what we hold in common and what we get done together".

That same year Raleigh announced it would name the new 17-story Raleigh Law Enforcement Center in honor of Lightner. The 305,000 sq ft (28,300 m2) building will be located next to the City Hall and contain offices for the Raleigh Police Department, Raleigh Fire Department, and Wake County Emergency Operations Center and 911 dispatch.

Lightner's name was added to the list of local activists honored at the Martin Luther King Water Monument, located in the MLK Memorial Gardens in Raleigh. The Garden was designed by his son Bruce Lightner.