William J. Barber II
Full Name
William J. Barber II
Date of Birth
August 30, 1963
Place of Birth
Date of Death
Not available
Place of Death
Not available
Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina Central University (NCCU), Cum Laude
- Master of Divinity from Duke University
- Doctorate from Drew University with a concentration in public policy
Spouses Names
- Rebecca McLean (m. 1987)
Children Names
Not available
Parents Names
- Father: William J. Barber I
- Mother: Eleanor Barber
Known Affiliates Names
- Liz Theoharis (Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign)
- Martin Luther King Jr. (Inspiration for the Poor People’s Campaign)
Affiliated Organizations’ Names
- President & Senior Lecturer of Repairers of the Breach
- Co-Chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival
- Bishop with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
- Visiting Professor at Union Theological Seminary
- Pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina
- Member of the National NAACP Board of Directors
William J. Barber II is a prominent American Protestant minister and political activist. He is known for his leadership in the civil rights movement and for reviving the Poor People’s Campaign, which was originally spearheaded by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Barber has served as the president of the North Carolina NAACP and is a member of the National NAACP Board of Directors. Barber’s activism is deeply rooted in his faith and the moral tenets of Christianity. He has been the pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina, since 1993. Under his leadership, the church has been involved in various social justice initiatives, including efforts to expand voting rights, health care, living wages, and LGBTQ rights. In addition to his pastoral work, Barber is a co-chair of the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival, alongside Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis. The campaign seeks to address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, and the war economy. Barber’s work with the campaign has led to the largest and most expansive wave of nonviolent civil disobedience in U.S. history Barber has also been recognized for his efforts with numerous awards, including a MacArthur Genius Grant in 2018. He continues to be a leading voice for social justice and moral leadership in America