Candy Carson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Candy Carson
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Carson in 2014
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Lacena Rustin
August 19, 1953 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Yale University (BA) Johns Hopkins University (MBA) |
| Occupation |
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Lacena "Candy" Carson (born August 19, 1953) is an American author and educator. She is married to Ben Carson, who was once the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and a famous brain surgeon. Together, they started the Carson Scholars Fund in 1994. Candy Carson has also written four books with her husband. She was very active during her husband's campaign for President in 2016, giving interviews and appearing on television.
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Early Life and Education
Candy Carson was born Lacena Rustin on August 19, 1953, in Royal Oak, Michigan. Her mother raised her in the Episcopal Church. She finished high school at Ferndale High School. Candy met her future husband, Ben Carson, in the 1970s. They were both students at Yale University at the time.
After graduating from Yale, Candy Carson continued her studies. She went to Johns Hopkins Carey Business School. There, she earned her MBA degree.
Candy Carson is also a talented musician. She used to be a concert violinist. She even played the national anthem when her husband started his presidential campaign. She has also led the University of Maryland Medical Center Chamber Players.
Career and Work
In the Baltimore area, Candy Carson worked in several fields. She gained experience in real estate. She also worked in trust administration and insurance.
Carson Scholars Fund: Helping Students
In 1994, Candy Carson and her husband created the Carson Scholars Fund. This fund gives scholarships to students in grades 4 through 11. These scholarships are for students who show "academic excellence and humanitarian qualities." The Carsons started this foundation after learning that U.S. students were not doing well in math and science tests compared to other countries. They wanted to encourage students to work hard in school. They noticed that athletes often received trophies, but honor students only got a "pin or certificate."
Students who receive a Carson Scholars Fund scholarship get $1,000 for their college education. The fund has given out over 6,700 scholarships so far. Candy Carson helps manage this important scholarship fund.
Personal Life and Family
Candy Carson and Ben Carson got married in 1975. They have three sons: Murray, Benjamin Jr., and Royceon. They also have several grandchildren. The family lived in West Friendship, Maryland, until 2013. Then, they moved to Florida. Both Candy and Ben Carson are members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Because of her religious beliefs, Candy Carson is a vegetarian.
In 1981, Candy Carson faced health challenges during a pregnancy. After this, when she became pregnant again the next year, her doctor advised her to rest. She left her job to focus on her health for the rest of that pregnancy.
Candy Carson has co-authored four books with her husband. One of their books, One Nation, became a The New York Times Best Seller. It was the number one best-seller for five weeks. Her own memoir, A Doctor in the House: My Life with Ben Carson, was released in early 2016.
Portrayals in Media
Candy Carson has been shown in popular movies and TV shows. Actress Aunjanue Ellis played her in the TV movie Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story. This movie first aired on February 7, 2009, and starred Cuba Gooding, Jr.. Candy Carson also appeared as herself in a documentary about her husband called Gifted Hands in 1991.
Later, she was also portrayed by comedian Leslie Jones on the TV show Saturday Night Live. This happened on March 10, 2018.
