On September 26, the Saint Augustine’s University Wake Leadership Academics participated in the HistoryMakers Back to School initiative. Now in its fifth year, the initiative provides an opportunity for history makers to go back to school to tell their stories to young people across the country. Through their successes and achievements, students can learn from and be inspired by the African-American history makers.

According to Nikita Williams, assistant principal of the Wake Leadership Academies, this is the third year the Wake Leadership Academies has participated in the HistoryMakers Back to School initiative.

“We find local African Americans that are history makers in our community,” Williams said.

The guest history maker speaker was Dr. Johnny Houston, a mathematician, education administrator and research director. Houston, whose humble beginnings start in Sandersville, Ga., attended Morehouse College and graduated in 1964 with his B.A. degree in mathematics. Houston received his M.S. degree in mathematics from Atlanta University (Clark Atlanta University) in 1966 and then travelled to Paris, France to study at the Universite de Strasbourg. In 1974, Houston graduated with his Ph.D. degree in mathematics from Purdue University. He is a co-founder of the National Association of Mathematicians, Inc.

Houston shared information with students about his humble beginnings in Georgia and how he had never been outside of Georgia until he went to graduate school. He stressed to the students that everyone is given the same opportunities no matter their background.