De Bo'd of Education is part of the score of the Cole and Johnson Brothers musical The Shoo-Fly Regiment. The all-black musical centered on Hunter Wilson, a young graduate of Tuskegee Institute who planned to become a teacher before the outbreak of the Spanish-American war. Wilson is embroiled in a conflict between his patriotic duty to enlist, and his sweetheart who implores him to stay home. Legendary musician James Reese Europe served as musical director, and the musical earned critical acclaim, including praise for Bob Cole and J. Rosamond Johnson who acted in lead roles.