Foreword
Congratulations to Dr. Cynthia Waszak Geary and Dr. LaHoma Smith Romocki for their discourse on Going to School in Black and White: A Dual Memoir of Desegregation.
The desegregation of Hillside High School was a tremendous challenge of human growth and intellectual awakening of mind, body, and spirit. Fortunately, the administration, board of education and the parent-teacher-student organization accepted the challenge of embracing the change of human culture and lifestyle. God’s wisdom gives us love, faith, hope, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control.
The writers of this literary piece are honor graduates of Hillside High School, Durham, N.C., who continue noteworthy contributions to humankind.
—Dr. John H. Lucas, Durham, N.C.
June 29, 2017
John H. Lucas Sr. was named the principal of Hillside High School in 1962 and was there during the events described in this book. He remained as principal until 1985. He went on to become president of Shaw University and was elected to the first school board of the newly merged Durham school systems, serving as its vice chairman. At age 97, he continues to be an active member of the White Rock Baptist Church where he is a Deacon Chair Emeritus and serves on multiple community, state, and national boards. He remains beloved by thousands of Hillside High alumni.