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Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II Net Worth | Wife (Rebecca McLean)

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II Net Worth – $1 million

What is the net worth of Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II? Is Rev William Barber married?

Introduction

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II is a member of the National NAACP Board and a pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Goldsboro, NC.

Barber is effective at establishing inclusive fusion coalitions that are dedicated to addressing systemic racism, inequality, and poverty, and reach across class lines, age, and gender.

He approaches social justice through the lens of the moral and ethical treatment of people, as explained in the Christian Bible.

Rev. Barber has been called “one of the most gifted organizers and orators in the country today” and “the closest person we have to Martin Luther King Jr. in our midst.”

Biography

He was born on August 30, 1963, in Indianapolis, USA.

His mother became the school’s first black office manager. His father taught science at a formerly all-white high school. 

In the 1960s, his parents moved back to eastern North Carolina to help desegregate the local schools.

During a 2013 interview, Barber said about his parents:

”My parents both had college degrees, and in the 1950s and ’60s that was pretty good for African-Americans at that time.”

The reverend went on to say:

rev william barber bio

@Getty

”They had the opportunity to stay in Indiana and basically move on up in their jobs.”

Dr. William later added:

”But they made a decision to take their only child at that time, come back here to my father’s hometown and enter me into segregated kindergarten.”

Barber received:

  • a doctorate from Drew University with a concentration in pastoral care and public policy;
  • a Master of Divinity degree from Duke University;
  • a bachelor’s degree in political science from NCCU.

Since 2013, Dr. William has led a series of rallies in Raleigh, which have come to be known as Moral Mondays.

rev william barber wiki

@Getty

These rallies are intended to challenge local Republican measures to cut environmental regulations as well as unemployment health care funding and benefits.

In 2014, he founded “Repairers of the Breach,” an extension of the Moral Monday protests and a leadership development program.

In 2016, Barber delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention.

rev.william barber bio

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II and Gayle King attend Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner – @Getty

In 2017, Dr. William launched a revival of the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign, which was spearheaded by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Later that year, he announced he would step down from the state NAACP presidency. The reverend explained that he left his position to lead “a new ‘Poor People’s Campaign.'”

In 2018, the Poor People’s Campaign launched 40 days of nonviolent civil disobedience in 40 states.

This resulted in more than 5000 acts of simultaneous civil disobedience.

Dr. William was also named Tar Heel of the Year by the News & Observer.

In the same year, he was named a MacArthur Fellow for “building broad-based fusion coalitions as part of a moral movement to confront racial and economic inequality.”

Barber will receive $625,000 over five years as a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant.” He can use the money as he desires.

rev. william barber ii net worth

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II speaking at the Poor Peoples Moral Action Congress – @Getty

The MacArthur Foundation said in its description of Dr. William’s work:

“He is effective at building unusually inclusive fusion coalitions that are multiracial and interfaith, reach across gender, age, and class lines, and are dedicated to addressing poverty, inequality, and systemic racism.” 

Wife

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II married Rebecca McLean in 1987.

They meet in 1984 during a march in support of Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaign.

Daughter

The couple has a daughter named Sharrelle Barber. In 2018, she co-produced and co-directed a short documentary about Marielle Franco, named – “I, A Black Woman, Resist.” 

In the present day, Sharrelle Barber is a faculty member at the Drexel University Dornsife School.

She received a Doctor of Science degree in Social Epidemiology from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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Arrest

rev william barber wife

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber speaks at Harry Belafonte’s Many Rivers Music – @Getty

On May 30, 2017, Dr. William was arrested after refusing to leave the North Carolina State Legislative Building during a protest over health care legislation.

Previously, Barber has been arrested at least 15 times.

In 2019, after a jury found him to be guilty of second-degree trespass, he officially became a convicted criminal.

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Books

rev dr william j barber ii biography

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber welcomes attendees at a moral Mass at Trinity Church – @Getty

On January 12, 2016, he published a book titled – ”The Third Reconstruction: Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement.”

In this book, Barber offers a hopeful message for a nation grappling with persistent economic and racial injustice.

On December 4, 2018, Reverend William published another book, named – ”Revive Us Again: Vision and Action in Moral Organizing.” In this book, he presents speeches and sermons of prominent faith leaders, activists, and public intellectuals.

In 2020, he published ”We Are Called To Be A Movement.”

Quotes

rev.william barber biography

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, speaks to members of the press – @Getty

“The truth is, we must take a collective responsibility for the inequality, the unjust laws, and systems created.”

”We know that non-violent civil disobedience works. We know that protest works. We know that voting works.”

“We do not need more tax cuts for the rich. We must end this systemic policy violence against poor and low-wealth people.”

”Study after study shows cash improves the lives of the poorest with next to no negative side effects.”

“You don’t just start protesting. You don’t just start having civil disobedience. You have to have a map.”

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Trivia

bishop william barber net worth

Rev. William J. Barber II (R) stands outside the National Civil Rights Museum – @Getty

Reverend William has spoken to a wide variety of audiences, including:

  • national gatherings of Jews, Muslims, and Christians;
  • national unions;
  • fast-food workers;
  • fraternities and sororities;
  • small organizing committees of domestic workers;
  • motorcycle organizations;
  • environmental and criminal justice groups;
  • drug dealer conferences;
  • voting rights advocates;
  • economic policy groups;
  • women’s groups.

In 2009, he received ”the Order of the Long Leaf Pine” from the North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue. 

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rev william barber net worth

Rev. Dr. William Barber, II eulogizes Joshua Halsey at the Pine Forest Cemetery on November 6, 2021 – @Getty

Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II – Net Worth

So, how much is Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II worth?

Barber is an amazing figure in movement-building politics who is doing the tireless work of stitching together a multiracial democracy, especially in the South.

He held a number of positions, including:

  • the trustee boards of two colleges;
  • pastor of Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ);
  • president of the NAACP’s North Carolina state chapter;
  • adjunct instructor at Duke Divinity School and N.C. Wesleyan, North Carolina Central University;
  • the Executive Director of N.C. Human Relations Commission.

After he was a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation “Genius Grant,” he received $650,000.

Rev. Barber is the author of We Are Called To Be A Movement, Preaching Through Unexpected Pain, and more. On Amazon, Rev. Barber sold an estimated 120,000 copies of his books.

Therefore, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II has an estimated net worth of $1 million.

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References

https://www.newyorker.comreverend-william-barber-talk
https://www.npr.org/gospel-of-love-and-justice-william-barber

Nellie Renee Jones

Tuesday 19th of March 2024

One of the most profound and intelligent Ministers. Prayers for him and his family.

Susan Ryberg

Sunday 29th of August 2021

A true man of God and of the people. I believe that good will always overcome evil because like one of my favorite hymns says,” although the wrong, seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.” Never loose heart.

Jodi Schreiber

Sunday 18th of October 2020

Blessings on Reverend Barber. He is a powerful, moral leader and compass for a deeply wounded, lost world.

Teresa Grady

Sunday 13th of September 2020

Helping the poor is important, understanding and dismantling the systems which create poverty is crucial. The object is to create a society where we believe, and therefore treat one another with that understanding that all people are created equal.

Pam

Friday 6th of November 2020

"dismantling the systems which create poverty is crucial" --completely agree!

In tandem, finding ways for people to support themselves in a reasonable manner. I've seen some who get caught in "the system supporting them" and that is not the goal. I feel that each of us if able, is responsible to "pay our own way". I also understand that sometimes that basic action is difficult if not almost impossible in some areas/ situations.

Thank you to Rev Barber for putting a spotlight here with concrete actions!

Della

Sunday 23rd of August 2020

I enjoy hearing about people that help the poor. that's one reason I support the 700 club they've been doing that for so many years. Angel tree that was started by Charles colson is another wonderful group of people that help the poor and prisoners. So many that are helpful caring Pastor Eric Lambert from Philadelphia PA the Christian and the culture . Listen in if your able what does it mean to be an adopted child of God. 🙏