Born in 1922, Tate learned the value of education early on from his mother, not just as a means of personal growth, but as a way to combat oppression.
Tate would go on to attend Fort Valley State University, graduating at the age of 20, with a degree in education.
[1] Tate's career started soon after he received his undergraduate degree, as principal of two schools in Georgia, the first in Union Point, the second in Greensboro.
Much of his work involved uniting the efforts of both black and white teachers toward providing equal resources to all children in the state.
In 1974, Tate was elected to serve in the Georgia State Senate, district 38, a position he held for 16 years.