William Barber II facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William Barber II |
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| Personal details | |
| Birth name | William Joseph Barber II |
| Born | August 30, 1963 Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Denomination | Disciples of Christ |
| Spouse | Rebecca McLean |
| Occupation | minister, activist, academic |
| Education | North Carolina Central University (BA) Duke University (MDiv) Drew University (DMin) |
William J. Barber II, born on August 30, 1963, is an American Protestant minister and a strong voice for social justice. He teaches at Yale Divinity School and helps lead important groups like Repairers of the Breach and the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival. He is also a key member of the national board of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which works for equal rights. From 2006 to 2017, he was the head of the NAACP's North Carolina chapter, which was very large. He also served as a pastor at Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina, for many years.
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Early Life and Education
William J. Barber II was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His parents, Eleanor and William J. Barber, Sr., moved their family to Washington County, North Carolina. They wanted to help with desegregation, which was the process of ending racial separation in schools. His mother worked as a secretary, and his father was a physics teacher. Young William started kindergarten there.
Early Leadership Roles
William Barber showed leadership skills from a young age. When he was 15, in 1978, he was chosen to be president of his local NAACP youth council. At 17, he became the student body president of his high school. He was the first president to serve the integrated school for a whole year.
He then went to North Carolina Central University (NCCU). At 19, he became the student government president there. He earned his bachelor's degree in political science from NCCU in 1985. Later, he received a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University in 1989. In 2003, he earned a doctorate from Drew University.
Family Life
In 1984, while at NCCU, he met Rebecca McLean during a march for Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign. They got married three years later.
Health Challenges
When he was in his early 20s, Dr. Barber was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. This is a condition that affects his spine. In December 2023, he faced an issue at a movie theater in Greenville, North Carolina. He was attending a movie with his 90-year-old mother. The theater later apologized for not providing a needed accommodation for his condition.
Activism and Social Justice Work
Dr. Barber is well-known for his work as a social activist. He believes in fighting for fairness and equality for all people.
Moral Mondays
Starting in April 2013, Dr. Barber led weekly protests called "Moral Mondays" in Raleigh, the state capital. These protests focused on civil rights and other important issues. His NAACP chapter helped create a large group of 93 advocacy organizations. This group worked together to make changes in North Carolina. Many people saw him as a very important leader in the state.
Repairers of the Breach
In 2014, Dr. Barber started an organization called Repairers of the Breach. This group helps teach and train religious leaders and others. They learn how to work for policies that help everyone in society. The organization also teaches people about how faith can connect to social justice.
National Campaigns
Dr. Barber gave a powerful speech at the 2016 Democratic National Convention. It was very well received by many people.
In May 2017, he decided to step down from leading the North Carolina NAACP. He wanted to focus on a new project: the "Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival." This campaign is named after the original one started by Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968. It aims to bring attention to poverty and inequality across the country.
In July 2021, Dr. Barber called for peaceful protests to highlight threats to democracy in the U.S. He was arrested in Washington, D.C., in August 2021 during a protest for voting rights and better wages. In April 2025, he was arrested again while praying in the United States Capitol rotunda during another protest.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Barber has received many awards for his important work.
- In 2006, he won the Juanita Jackson Mitchell, Esq. Award. This is the highest award from the NAACP for legal activism.
- In 2008, his NAACP State Conference received the Thalheimer Award for its programs.
- In 2010, he won the National NAACP Kelly M. Alexander Humanitarian Award.
- Also in 2010, North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue gave him the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. This award honors North Carolinians who have done great service for the state.
Honorary Degrees
In 2017, his former school, Drew University, gave him an honorary doctorate degree. He also gave a speech at their graduation ceremony. Occidental College also gave him an honorary doctorate.
MacArthur Fellowship
In 2018, Dr. Barber was named a MacArthur Fellow. This special award is given to people who show great creativity and potential. He was recognized for bringing together different groups of people to fight against racial and economic inequality.
He is also a senior fellow at the Kettering Foundation, which is a research group.
