Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

October 10, 2005

Dear Supporters:

I greet you with the grace and peace of God.

It is a humbling privilege to have been selected by the North Carolina Conference of Branches of the NAACP to serve as your new State Conference President.  I solicit your prayers as we move together in this time of new beginning with fresh vision and vigor.  The challenges are great but our cause is right.  My agenda and I hope that our agenda is simply to serve God and advance forthrightly the cause of Civil Rights and Social Justice.

I want you to know that I have a deep respect for all of you who have given your service for this noble work.  We all salute the works of our past state president and wish him and others who have served, God’s speed and continual blessings. 

Our legacy is one that stands upon the foundation of leaders like Roy Wilkins, Medgar Evers, Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, and Kelly Alexander Sr., who each within their time help to lead this organization “to serve the present age”.  This is yet our charge and we must pray to God for the wisdom and strength to do it well.

I, along with my wife Rebecca and all of our children love you with the love of God and look forward to this time of service. 

Sincerely,

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

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 As I visited Bennett College located here in Greensboro, NC on Wednesday October 5, 2005, I had the honor to speak with our leaders of today.

                                       (CLICK ON PIC TO VIEW VIDEO) 

Rev.Dr. Mazie Ferguson of words of wisdom to our future leaders and leaders of today.

                                       (CLICK ON PIC TO VIEW VIDEO)

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Volume 1, Issue 1                                 SAY YESS                                                 

Say YESS to Barber on Oct 8, 2005 NC NAACP State Conference, Greensboro, NC

Born August 30., 1963 in Indianapolis, IN
Married to Rebecca McLean Barber formerly of Lillington, NC, graduate North Carolina Central University, Registered Nurse, and B.S. in nursing.
Proud parents of five children: Sharrelle Monique, William Joseph III, Rebekah Eleanor, Benjamin Joe, and Andrew Willard.

CURRENT:

Pastor, Greenleaf Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Goldsboro, NC 118 years old congregation with over 400 members and 30 active ministries.
Chairman Rebuilding Broken Places Community Development Corporation, which has developed or inspired over seven million dollars in community development which includes, 41 unit low-income senior citizen complex, 42 single family homes, computer training.
HIV/AIDS Initiative, Leadership Development, and Wall of First recognizing African American and Men and Women First.
Adjunct Instructor at NCCU, Master of Public Administration and Duke Divinity Masters Program.
Has written one book entitled “Preaching Through Unexpected Pain.”
Host of two radio shows, CATCH the Fire, and Praise with a Purpose.

EDUCATION:

B.A. Degree in Public Administration North Carolina Central University, graduated Cum Laude.
Master of Divinity Degree, Duke University School of Divinity. Dean Scholar, Benjamin Mays Fellow.
Doctoral Degree Drew University in Madison, NJ.

SERVICE:

Served as Executive Director for NC Human Relations Commission. Appointed by Governor James B. Hunt. Enforced housing, employment discrimination and hate crime laws. Managed a million-dollar budget with a staff of ten including two lawyers and coordinated with human relations councils statewide.

Served as Political Action Chair of the NC NAACP State Conference.
Served as President of Washington County Youth Council NAACP, (won the state chapter of the year).
Served as chairman of the committee on Morality for the Hate Violence Church Bombing Task Force.
Served on the National Reconciliation Task Force Christian Church Convocation and Regional Board of The Christian Church (DOC).
Has stood with and supported the Dept. of Transportation, DOT 7 in the hangman’s noose case.
Stood with and spoke on behalf of educational advocates for funding low wealth schools.
Campaigned for Mayor of Goldsboro as a write-in candidate five days before the election and garnered 40% of the votes.
Organized 2004 a North Carolina Get out to Vote Rally and Radio-thon that included Judge Jim Wynn, former House of Rep. Dan Blue, former State Auditor Ralph Campbell and the US Congresspersons Jim Clyburn and G.K. Butterfield.
Currently working on second book entitled “Say it Preacher: The Power of Prophetic Preaching.”
Served on the National Community Economic Development Board. Visited the White House with other community activist, to push for greater resources to low wealth communities.
Has been awarded keys to three different cities.
Served on Board of Trustees at NC Central University Durham NC and Barton College Wilson NC.
Lectured at the National Convocation Harambi Institute, the National Convocation of Black Ministers Retreat and National Medical Association.
Guest Preacher for the Truth and Reconciliation commission in Greensboro, NC to address the deaths of social justice workers in 1979.

“Rev. Barber has the ability and the integrity to lead not only the North Carolina State NAACP conference, but all people.”

Rev. Dr. Mazie Ferguson, Attorney and Pastor of Liberation Baptist Church Greensboro, NC

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Youth, Empowerment, Substance, Service

SAY YESS

Volume 1, Issue 1                                                                                                 August 31, 2005

Quotes from Supporters

The Honorable Daniel Blue former speaker of the NC House of Representatives stated, “Rev. Dr. William J. Barber is one of the most focused, committed, and dedicated person that I’ve ever known. Both in advancing human rights and fighting for concepts of equality and in spiritual dedication.”

“Thousands of young Americans have died in an unjust war to protect the names of “freedom and liberation” in a foreign land. Yet, right here in North Carolina our citizens are still fighting against desegregation of schools, unfair labor practices, educational, societal, and economic bondage of the poor. The NAACP needs a lender that’s not afraid to speak truth to power and demand change to improve life quality for all citizens. Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II is that leader. We can’t afford to leave things as they are.”

Archie Black, CEO
Rebuilding Broken Places

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, reflects on his run for the Presidency of the North Carolina NAACP State Conference

Grace and Peace! Let me thank so many of you for your prayers and support. It has been a marvelous and invigorating experience to move around the state of North Carolina and discuss new vision and direction for the NAACP with so many of you. I have been deeply moved by the passion you have for critical issues and your deep concern that this State Conference regains its integrity and its focus on the work of civil rights and justice. These are critical times and I believe together we must forge a vision comparable to meet the challenges of racism, poverty, and regressive public policy that continually invade our reality. The prophet Amos said, “You can not be at ease in Zion.” The freedom song writer said, “we who believe in freedom cannot rest.” As I have moved around the state you have told me over and over again that we must get back to the business of civil rights. And, you are right. The mission of the NAACP is more than banquets, ballrooms, and business as usual. More than a place for rubbing shoulders with VIPs. The NAACP was the birth into existence to be the conscience of this nation and the foremost proponent for the advancement of all people. We have a mission to accomplish. Internally, too many branches are inactive, fundraising consumes too much time, and state conferences are too expensive. Socially, African Americans are 20% of the population, but 65% of the prison industrial complex. There is a 30% - 40% educational achievement gap between African American and white children in our state. We still don’t have a moratorium on the death penalty. Payday lending is still nothing more than institutionalized robber. There are still 500,000 eligible to vote who are not registered. And thousands who are eligible but don’t vote. We make up 27% of those in poverty. We are only 8% of those elected to public office. And we still don’t have the political muscle to pass a living wage of 10 dollars but have people with the audacity to still burn crosses and hang nooses in public buildings. Resegregation of schools is happening at a rapid speed and providing workers the ability to engage in collective bargaining is not even moving at a snail’s pace. And, to the nation’s shame race and class have sadly impacted how citizens have received relief after Hurricane Katrina. We have work to do!

Just a few of my friends wanted to share with you their points of view about this election and my candidacy. I have included several of their comments in this letter and will share some more with you later.

Remember:

We must come to Greensboro October 6 - 8, 2005 for the State Conference.
Make sure all of your branch (unit) assessments are paid so that you are eligible.
Bring all your delegates 50 - 100 members - 4 delegates, 101 - 500 members - 6 delegates, 501- 1000 members - 8 delegates.

Yours in the Grace of God,
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

“Its time for us to have strong courageous leadership that is for us and not just for me.”

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Youth, Empowerment, Substance, Service

Volume 1, Issue 1                                                    SAY YESS                                          

Principles of Leadership, by Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II

Faith in God is my Foundation and the reason why I have a deep and abiding concern for all people.

The national position of the NAACP is the position of the State Conference. It must be clear where we stand without any ambivalence.

The Administrative process of the state conference must be streamlined and structured so that branches (units) are not bound to mere administrative duty and fundraising but can devote their time to the work of civil rights. State conferences need to be issue-focused and financially affordable so that grassroots people can attend.

The Leadership of the NAACP is the Lobby for the NAACP period!

Our business is the business of Civil Rights and Social Advancement. We are to do the work of the people and the work of justice.

Integrity and Credibility demands that we are non-partisan. “No permanent Friends or Enemies Only Permanent Interest,” must be more than NAACP rhetoric. Our principles are not for whom is in the White House or the State House. As Shirley Chisolm once said, we must be “unbought, unbowed, and unbossed.”

All branches (units) and leadership teams are important, invaluable, and must be included and engaged developing a unified vision.

Branches (units) across this state must be reactivated. The word inactive should never be used to describe the status of any part of the NAACP.

Our vision must be clarified. We must be agitator and innovator and know when to be which.

The civil rights family must be reconnected. The NC NAACP must build and foster coalitions.

The base membership of the NAACP must be expanded, deepened and diversified. We must maintain what we have and grow.

A Team Approach is the only model for long-term success. Strong leadership desires, welcomes, and is not intimidated by the presence of other strong leadership.

Youth must be inspired, trained and nurtured for Leadership Now! Without this, our legacy is forfeited.

We must take responsibility and speak with a sound clear voice so that the membership can take informed action.

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber is a man of integrity. Because of his experience with and knowledge of civil rights Rev. Barber is the man to lead us. Rev. Barber has a vision for the NAACP. Barber will work to improve all people. He has tremendous insight to issues and ills that we are faced with as a global community.