Bishop William J. Barber II is a prominent American Protestant minister, social activist, professor, and founding director of the Center for Public Theology & Public Policy at Yale Divinity School. He is also the president and senior lecturer at Repairers of the Breach and co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival. Barber's work addresses a wide range of issues, with a particular focus on healthcare, poverty, and voting rights, all viewed through the lens of morality and justice.
Early Life and Education
William J. Barber II was born on August 30, 1963, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Eleanor Barber and William J. Barber. His advocacy began early; he was elected president of the local NAACP youth council in 1978 at the age of 15. At 17, he became the first student body president to serve the integrated high school for an entire year. He then enrolled at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) and became student government president at age 19.
Health Challenges and Advocacy
In his early 20s, Barber was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of arthritis that causes inflammation in the joints and ligaments of the spine. This condition has significantly affected his spine and mobility, often requiring him to use two canes. Despite the physical challenges, Barber has become a vocal advocate for people with disabilities and accessible healthcare for all.
The AMC Theater Incident
In December 2023, Barber experienced firsthand the challenges faced by people with disabilities when employees at AMC Theatres in Greenville, North Carolina, refused to provide a reasonable accommodation for his condition. He had been attending a screening of "The Color Purple" with his 90-year-old mother. When he objected to the seating arrangements due to his ankylosing spondylitis, police were called, and he agreed to leave to avoid being cited for trespassing.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation, and AMC Theatres issued an apology to Barber. AMC's Chairman and CEO Adam Aron telephoned him and planned to meet with him in person to discuss the situation and Barber's advocacy work. The company also stated that they were reviewing their policies to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
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Katherine Macfarlane, Director of Disability Law and Policy Program at Syracuse University College of Law, explained that the Americans with Disabilities Act requires places like movie theaters to make reasonable modifications for people with disabilities. This includes an individualized assessment of how policies or the physical structure of a movie theater can be adapted to allow a person to sit and enjoy a movie in peace without experiencing pain.
Barber stated that the incident was about how people with disabilities should be treated fairly, regardless of race, color, creed, or sexual orientation. He prayed for the managers of the theater, finding it absurd that they would rather remove him from the theater than accommodate his needs.
Moral Mondays and the Fight for Justice
Beginning in April 2013, Barber led regular "Moral Mondays" civil-rights protests in North Carolina's state capital, Raleigh. These protests addressed a range of issues, including voting rights, healthcare, and economic justice.
A Moral Fusion Movement
Barber emphasizes the importance of coming together and mobilizing as a moral fusion movement. He believes that when actions hurt many people at once, it is crucial to unite and own collective power. The Moral Mondays campaign in DC was profiled by The Guardian, highlighting Barber's commitment to fighting for those who died without care. He shares stories of movement members who called him not for comfort but for commitment, urging him not to quit.
Barber often asks, "What will you do with the breath you have left?" This question, he says, echoes the cries of George Floyd, his brother who died waiting for healthcare, and those who struggled to breathe during the COVID-19 pandemic. He views breath as a gift and a responsibility, urging people to stand up, speak out, protest, and live justice.
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Building Coalitions
The Wall Street Journal credited Barber's NAACP chapter with forming a coalition in 2007 named Historic Thousands on Jones Street People's Assembly, composed of 93 North Carolina advocacy groups. Barber emphasized the need to operate in coalition due to changing demographics. Historian Timothy Tyson called Barber "the most important progressive political leader in this state in generations," noting that he "built a statewide interracial fusion political coalition that has not been seriously attempted since 1900."
Arrests and Civil Disobedience
Barber has been arrested multiple times for acts of civil disobedience. On May 30, 2017, he was arrested for refusing to leave the North Carolina State Legislative Building during a protest over health care legislation. The following month, a state magistrate banned Barber and other protesters from entering the Legislative Building. On April 28, 2025, Barber was arrested while praying in the United States Capitol rotunda.
The Poor People's Campaign
Barber is the co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival, a revival of the 1968 campaign organized by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The campaign addresses issues such as poverty, systemic racism, ecological devastation, and the war economy.
Addressing Poverty as Policy Violence
Barber argues that poverty in America is not a choice but a result of policy violence. He emphasizes that fighting for the healthcare of everyday Americans, for the poor, the sick, and the afflicted, is not a partisan issue but a moral one. He calls on congressional leadership to defend human rights and the Constitution by promoting the general welfare.
Barber believes it is wrong for politicians who receive free healthcare to strip it away from millions of Americans. He urges clergy to speak up, stand up, and refuse to back away from nonviolent resistance to this policy violence.
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The Importance of Love and Service
Barber emphasizes that to serve the people, one must love the people. He believes that true service involves fighting for their healthcare, ensuring no family goes hungry, and ensuring everyone has a safe place to call home.
Advocacy During Black History Month
During Black History Month 2025, Barber was spotlighted for his influential work as a national organizer, community advocate, and political activist. The theme of the year, "African Americans and Labor," highlights the impact of all kinds of work on health, from physical well-being to income and employer-provided insurance.
Moral Leadership and the Fight for Healthcare
Barber's moral leadership has been recognized by many, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who expressed gratitude for Barber's moral clarity and inspirational wisdom in the fight for the American people.
Barber's work extends to addressing issues such as cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act subsidies, and SNAP, which he sees as attacks on the poor, the elderly, the sick, and the working families of the nation. He believes there is a moral obligation to stand up and demand that every person has access to healthcare, food, and the basic necessities, regardless of their income or ZIP code.
Opposition to Gerrymandering
Barber has been a vocal opponent of gerrymandering, which he sees as a way to steal people's representation and, consequently, their healthcare, wages, and future. He has organized prayer vigils and peaceful sit-ins at statehouses to protest redistricting plans.
Barber has vowed to fight back in the courts, in the streets, and at the ballot box, uniting people of all backgrounds to protect democracy.
Awards and Recognition
Barber has received numerous awards and recognitions for his activism and leadership, including:
- 2006 Juanita Jackson Mitchell, Esq. Award for legal activism (NAACP)
- 2008 Thalheimer Award for most programmatic NAACP State Conference
- 2010 National NAACP Kelly M. Alexander, Sr. Award
- Honorary doctorate from Drew University (2017)
- MacArthur Foundation Fellowship
Current Roles and Affiliations
Currently, Barber serves as:
- President and senior lecturer of Repairers of the Breach
- Bishop with The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries
- Professor in the Practice of Public Theology and Public Policy and founding director of the Center for Public Theology & Public Policy at Yale Divinity School
- Member of the national board of the NAACP
- Chair of the NAACP's legislative political action committee