George Perkins placed his hope for African Americans in education. To that end, he worked to build and enrich the program at Gibbs High School where he served as Principal.

Under his leadership, the school's campus grew to include a chamistry lab, tennis courts, gymnatorium and cafeteria. He also broadened course offerings to include vocational disciplines. Mr. Perkins motivated the community to pledge bricks toward the expansion projects. Educators who taught the trades classes supervised the school construction projects with students doing the work for hands-on experience. St. Petersburg Vocational Technical School has its roots in this program.

Perkins Elementary School was named in his honor.