Making a Way: Ulysses Byas, First Black School Superintendent in the Southeast, and His Fight for Educational Reform

Making a Way traces the life of Ulysses Byas from childhood through his tenure as the first black superintendent of the Macon County (Alabama) Schools, as told to coauthor Marilyn Robinson. This biography relies on extensive interviews that Dr. Robinson conducted with Dr. Byas, as well as an examination of his collection of documents. Dr. Byas' unique experiences and skills informed the strategies he used to attack the fiscal deficit, the physical plant deterioration, and the educational performance deficiencies he found as superintendent of the Macon County Schools. His professional life was dedicated to using creative approaches to addressing problems brought about by segregation and the policies of "separate but equal" schooling. Ultimately, Dr. Byas faced a dilemma over whether or not to confront Gov. George Wallace's political machine and its discriminatory policies governing the licensure of the Alabama Educational Television network. Only time would tell whether his testimony would have dire results for him and the school system, or whether it could successfully overcome the racist programming endemic in the South. In Making a Way, Dr. Robinson considers the impact of Dr. Byas's decision as she examines the inspiring story of a courageous and creative leader.