Neurosurgeon Ben Carson Officially Launches US Presidential Campaign

Benjamin Solomon "Ben" Carson is an African American who grew up poor in Detroit and rose to become Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, Maryland. He is the author of “One Nation: What We Can All Do to Save America’s Future.”

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who criticized US President Barack Obama for his policies, has announced seeking the 2016 Republican party’s presidential nomination on Monday.

The retired neurosurgeon is expected to be the only high-profile African American to enter the Republican presidential primary.

In 2013, Carson received attention for criticizing President Obama for his policies during the National Prayer Breakfast. He joined the Republican party later that year.

For over 20 years, Carson and his wife Candy have been leading the Carson Scholars Fund, granting scholarships to young students and promoting reading among children. More than 5,700 people all over the United States have received scholarships from the fund.