Highland Forum Series

Highland’s Winter Forum Welcomed John Huie, Sunday, February 15, 4:00 p.m., Ardmore Room

Drawing from his life and the book, “Breaking Free: The John Huie Story” by Bill Lightle, John shared experiences growing up in segregated Albany, Georgia, in the 1940s and 1950s and how his passion for racial equality was shaped and formed. A Presbyterian youth leader who embraced Jesus’s message to love one another, John gradually became alienated from the church as it failed to confront racial injustice. After graduating from Davidson College and serving as an artillery lieutenant in Europe, John witnessed the 1961 civil rights protests in Albany. At Emory University, he wrote his thesis on racist gubernatorial candidate Lester Maddox. In the mid-60s, John found his calling at Minnesota Outward Bound, becoming program director and embracing wilderness education’s power to unite diverse groups through shared challenge. John served as executive director of North Carolina Outward Bound from 1977-1994, expanding programs throughout the South and graduating over 50,000 participants across all races and backgrounds. Today he works as a life coach for older adults and serves as a Presbyterian deacon, continuing his search for reconciliation and the end of white supremacy. John and his wife Jaan Ferree live in Asheville, where she designs labyrinths for churches and retreat centers.

For more information about Highland’s Forum series, please contact Heather Ferguson.
 

Past Forums