Franklin McCain McCain was born in Union County,NC and reared in Washington, D.C. where he graduated from Eastern High School, He received a B.S. degree in chemistry and biology from North Carolina A&T State University in 1964. and, while an A&T student, he roomed with David Richmond -- another of the original sit-in participants -- and around the corner from Ezell Blair Jr. and Joseph McNeil on the second floor of Scott Hall. He joined the Celanese Corporation in Charlotte in 1965 as a chemist and later headed the company's office in Shelby, NC while continuing to live in Charlotte. He is married to the former Bettye Davis and they have three sons.