“When I entered high school I was an A-student, but not for long. I wanted the fancy clothes. I wanted to hang out with the guys. I went from being an A-student to a B-student to a C-student, but I didn't care. I was getting the high fives and the low fives and the pats on the back. I was cool.”

American neurosurgeon, academic, author, and government official

Benjamin Solomon Carson Sr. is an American neurosurgeon, academic, author, and government official. He has served as the National Nutrition Advisor at the Department of Agriculture since 2025, and earlier served as the 17th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 2017 to 2021. He is also known for a career in medicine and for work beyond it, including writing and public service. He is a member of the Republican Party.