Born on October 5, 1932, in the heart of Daytona Beach, Florida, Harold V. Lucas, Jr. was destined for a life that would leave a lasting imprint on his community and beyond. Raised just a block away from Bethune-Cookman College, his childhood was intertwined with the vibrancy of the institution's campus and the leadership of his parents. His father, a professor and community figure, worked closely with Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune herself, guiding young Harold through a childhood marked by both privilege and adversity.

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From the time he was a young boy, Harold's life was infused with the rhythms of service and leadership. His mother’s death when he was only ten left a profound mark, yet it was the steady presence of his father that shaped Harold into the man he would become. Even as his father struggled with physical disability, Harold took on the mantle of responsibility, driving children to Sunday School and overseeing his father’s business and community commitments. His days were filled with the sounds of Second Avenue’s bustling black-owned businesses, a street that acted as a living testament to the rich cultural fabric of Daytona Beach in the 1930s and 1940s.

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Harold’s early education was at Bethune-Cookman College, where he earned a B.S. in Business and a minor in Physical Education. The campus, vibrant with energy and purpose, served as both his classroom and his life’s incubator. “Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve,” was more than just a motto—it became a philosophy that guided Harold’s every step. His later education took him to the University of Pittsburgh, where he earned an M.S. in Counseling, a testament to his lifelong commitment to service and mentorship.

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As a young man, Harold was drawn to athletics, excelling in both track and field and semi-professional football and baseball. His passion for sports extended beyond his own athleticism as he became a coach and mentor to countless young athletes. The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, where Harold coached track and swimming, would later see state championships under his leadership—a hallmark of his coaching legacy. His contributions to youth athletics were not limited to his immediate work; they rippled out to community organizations, where Harold was a constant advocate for youth sports and physical education.

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Beyond sports, Harold’s career as an educator and administrator stands as a testament to his dedication to making a difference. As the first Equity Coordinator at Daytona Beach Community College (DBCC), he worked tirelessly to ensure that all students had equal access to opportunities. His influence extended to the development of discipline procedures adopted by Volusia County Schools, further cementing his legacy as a change-maker in the field of education.