Huey Perry was born in southern West Virginia in the small town of Gilbert. He attended college in Berea, Kentucky, where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in history and political science. He received his master’s degree from Marshall University in 1958.
Perry began his teaching career in Mingo County, West Virginia. While living in Gilbert, he served as the city's recorder and later became mayor. After becoming the executive director of the Mingo County Economic Opportunity Commission, he began helping the underprivileged. He created the first Head Start program that became the model for the entire country. During his involvement with Housing and Urban Development, he developed and implemented the Neighborhood Centers' Program for 14 major cities throughout the United States.
Perry was successful in giving a voice to the poor. Publicity, both local and national, spotlighted his anti-poverty movement. His first book, “They'll Cut Off Our Project,” was selected as one of the top 12 political books of the year by the Saturday Review. His second book, “Blaze Starr - My Life Told to Huey Perry,” was a story about a poor girl who escaped poverty and rose to fame by becoming a well-known stripper. During the whirlwind of national publicity, he brought Blaze to Huntington's Anderson-Newcomb Department Store to sign his book and greet the fans. The book was made into a movie with actor Paul Newman starring as Governor Earl Long.
Perry continues his outstanding work today for the poor and underprivileged. More recently, he served on the Huntington Urban Renewal Authority and Huntington Municipal Development Authority.
