Carson was raised on the west side of Detroit by his mother, Sonya Carson, a single parent who worked several jobs after her marriage ended.

The family lived in poverty, and Carson struggled in school, earning poor grades and often acting out.

Regardless, His mother — despite having only a third-grade education — was relentless in her expectations, going as far as banning television, requiring her sons to read two books a week, and having them write reports for her review.

Over time, Carson’s grades improved, revealing a natural aptitude for science and a deep curiosity.

By the time he graduated from Southwestern High School in 1969, he had climbed from the bottom to the top of his class.

Scholarships followed, including the opportunity for him to attend Yale University.

As a young man, Carson enrolled at the University of Michigan Medical School shortly after earning his psychology degree at Yale.

He trained in neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and by the age of 33, he was named Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery, one of the youngest surgeons in the country to hold such a position.

His focus was high-risk, complex brain surgeries, the bulk of which he performed on children with various life-threatening conditions.

Before long, his groundbreaking techniques and steady hands earned him worldwide recognition.

In 1987, Carson led a 70-member medical team in the first successful separation of twins joined at the back of the head.

The 22-hour operation on Benjamin and Patrick Binder was a landmark in surgical history, solidifying Carson’s reputation as a pioneer.

Over the course of his career, he performed hundreds more complex neurosurgeries, published research, and trained future generations of surgeons, with his 1990 autobiography, “Gifted Hands” (and its later film adaptation) bringing his story to millions.

In 1994, Ben and his wife, Candy Carson, founded the Carson Scholars Fund to award scholarships to students excelling in both academics and humanitarian service.

The organization also established reading rooms in schools, reflecting Carson’s conviction that literacy is the foundation of opportunity.

He often stressed faith, personal responsibility, and the transformative power of education — values deeply rooted in his Detroit upbringing.

Carson retired from surgery in 2013 and stepped into the political arena after a widely publicized speech at the National Prayer Breakfast.

He sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2016 before suspending his campaign and endorsing Donald Trump.

In 2017, Carson was appointed U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, a role he held until 2021.

His tenure focused on affordable housing initiatives, economic empowerment zones, and public-private partnerships.

Ben Carson’s life reflects a Detroit hero’s journey: rooted in hardship but defined by the belief that circumstances do not dictate destiny.

From a childhood shaped by discipline and faith to groundbreaking surgical achievements and a cabinet position in Washington, Carson has carried the lessons of Detroit’s neighborhoods into each and every phase of his career.

His story shows that brilliance can emerge from even the most unlikely of places, and that gifted hands often begin as calloused ones.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: August 19, 2025