Reverend Dr. William J. Barber, II

President, North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP
National Board Member of the NAACP
Board Member of the NC Justice Center

Pastor, Greenleaf Christian Church
Chairperson, Rebuilding Broken Places Community Development Corporation

By the grace of God, Reverend Barber has served with local, state, and national NAACP leaders in the fight for justice.  He is the President of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP (2005) and National Board Member (2009).  Since he became President he has lead the North Carolina NAACP State Conference to national recognition when he accepted the 2006 Juanita Jackson Mitchell, Esq. Award for legal activism, the highest award in the NAACP for Legal Redress for Advocacy. In addition, in 2008 the NC NAACP became the recipient of the Thalheimer Award for most programmatic NAACP State Conference.  The NC NAACP is the largest state conference in the south-third largest in nation. He fought and helped to secure over 200 million new dollars for low wealth and disadvantaged students. Dr. Barber joined with the Center for Civil Rights filing an amicus brief to the NC Supreme court and the US legislative districts. Rev. Barber helped to win a minimum wage raise.  Has lead Historic Thousands On Jones Street: Peoples Assembly a coalition of over 85 progressive organizations with over 1 million memberships to champion a 14 point anti racism, anti poverty, anti war agenda. He helped secure more than 2 million new dollars to address Health Disparities, more than 19 million new dollars for affordable housing, and win a moratorium on landfills in NC. Presented a final address to the 1898 Wilmington Riot Commission and laid out a clear agenda for redress and reparation. Dr. Rev. Barber not only led the efforts to free James Johnson, a young man wrongfully accused of murder, kidnapping, and rape who spent 3 ½ years in jail with no trial.  Has helped secure the freedom of innocent African American men from Death Row and the passage of the Racial Justice Act. Helped win Same Day Registration Early Voting in NC-only state in the south, Millions Voter March 2009- helped more than 1.2 million black/brown voters go to polls.

He has developed project YESS: Youth Energized for Service and Success, a program designed to enable students who are failing at the sixth through the eighth grade level to achieve academically.  In addition, has led in the efforts with other leaders in The Stop the Funeral Initiative and the Drug Dealer/Gang Member Redemption Conference. He is helping lead the fight against resegregation of public schools.

For over 16 years, he has been God's servant as Pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church DOC (1993), Goldsboro, NC.  The man of God has allowed God to use him as a vessel in saving many souls; to play a major role in lives transformed and has birthed or strengthened more than 32 ministries to bring glory to God.

Reverend Barber leads as Chairperson of a non-profit organization called "Rebuilding Broken Places,"  which is a community development initiative born out of a vision from God to build affordable single family houses, senior citizen housing, job training, affordable child care, and inner city revitalization in Goldsboro. Through this effort has helped to develop homes for flood victims, first time homebuyers, led the effort to secure a low moderate-income senior citizen's complex, and the construction of a Community Development Resource Center.  To date this has resulted in more than 7 million dollars of community development initiatives. 

Dr. Barber has written one book entitled, "Preaching Through Unexpected Pain", and several articles.
Has actively worked with youth and has proven to be an inspiration. 

Dr. Barber graduated cum laude from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., receiving a B.A. in Political Science.   Received a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University-- was a Benjamin Mays Fellow and a Dean scholar. Dr. Barber has a Doctoral degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, with a concentration in Public Policy and Pastoral Care.  

He has served as the Executive Director of N.C. Human Relations Commission; State of North Carolina Rev. Barber has also served as an adjunct instructor at N.C. Wesleyan, North Carolina Central University and Duke Divinity School.  He is currently the site Dean for Apex School of Theology. He was recently chosen for a Mel King Community Fellows fellowship.

Rev. Barber's membership affiliations have included Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Prince Hall Mason, 32°.Scotish Rite, and a Shriner.  He has served on the trustee boards of two colleges. He has received many awards for his work for justice, social change, and of speaking truth to power.

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