On January 5th each year, our nation pauses to honor the life and legacy of George Washington Carver—a brilliant agricultural scientist, educator, and humanitarian whose work transformed American agriculture and whose character continues to inspire generations.
Carver was founded in 1938 by clergy and volunteer leaders in Norwalk who chose his name deliberately. They wanted an organization rooted not simply in charity, but in ingenuity. Not simply in service, but in possibility. George Washington Carver represented all of that—and more.
Born into slavery and rising to become one of the most respected scientists of his era, Carver revolutionized Southern agriculture through crop diversification. His research into peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other alternative crops helped stabilize a struggling farming economy and restore depleted soil. He developed more than 100 products derived from peanuts alone—proof that innovation can flourish even in the face of scarcity.
January 5th marks the anniversary of his passing in 1943. Two years later, a joint resolution of Congress established George Washington Carver Day, and President Truman signed it into law, ensuring that his legacy would be recognized nationally. It was a rare and powerful honor—especially at that moment in American history.
But what makes George Washington Carver so relevant today is not just his scientific genius. It is his philosophy.
He believed education was liberation.
He believed creativity was a pathway out of poverty.
He believed young people—especially those too often overlooked—possessed untapped brilliance.
That belief is woven into the DNA of The Carver.
Every time a student discovers a new talent in STEAM enrichment…
Every time a teen earns a certification that changes the trajectory of their life…
Every time a young person gains confidence because someone believed in them…
We are living out the legacy of our namesake.
George Washington Carver saw possibility where others saw limitation. Nearly a century later, so do we.
On this day—and every day—we honor not just the man, but the mission he inspired.