Celebrating Roberta Byrd Barr: Quilting a Patchwork of Community

Serving as the new CEO of Byrd Barr Place, which has been nestled in the heart of the Central District for six decades, the main questions I’m consistently asked are: what services you provide, what happened to CAMP, and who is Roberta Byrd Barr?

I am honored to carry forward the torch lit by visionary leaders like the Central Area Motivation Program (CAMP) co-founders Bishop John Hurst Adams and Lillian Gideon, as well as the first executive director Walter Hundley and my immediate predecessor Andrea Caupain Sanderson, all of whom have paved the way for our organization's profound journey. I've also spent the past seven months reflecting on the remarkable legacy of Roberta Byrd Barr and her enduring impact on Seattle's Black community, which fills me with gratitude and inspiration.

We recently threw a party to celebrate the 105th birthday of Ms. Roberta and were fortunate enough to have conversations with her granddaughters, which led me to dive deeper into understanding how her legacy is a tapestry woven with threads of resilience, education, activism, and storytelling. I see my leadership at Byrd Barr Place mirroring her passion and commitment to lifelong learning, pioneering change, empowerment through shared leadership, advocacy for equity, and storytelling that inspires resiliency and renewal. I am honored to walk in such footsteps.

1. Student — Lifelong Learning

Ms. Roberta set ambitious standards for her education, pursuing sociology and elementary education studies at Wilberforce University in Ohio, the New School in New York, and the University of Washington (UW). She earned a bachelor’s in sociology and elementary education and a master's in librarianship from UW. She never ceased learning and encouraging others to do the same — knowing themselves, their community, and the world.

As a lifelong learner, I was the first in my family to earn degrees ranging from an associate’s in child development to a doctorate in organization development and educational leadership. My entire career has been devoted to creating equitable educational opportunities for children and youth through early learning, afterschool programs, child welfare, and youth development, as well as providing family supports to help parents and caregivers navigate the complex educational system. Through Byrd Barr Place, I'm able to provide direct services to families and further support their growth from birth into senior adulthood.

2. Educator — Pioneering Change

Ms. Roberta was a renowned civil rights leader who played an important role in the Seattle Public Schools boycott for desegregation in 1963. Ms. Roberta led one of the nation's first culturally sustaining schools for Black students and faculty as part of the boycott — a Freedom School at the East Madison YMCA. Her groundbreaking achievements also included being the first woman and first African American vice principal at Franklin High School in 1968 and the first woman and first African American principal at Lincoln High School in 1973 in Seattle Public Schools.

As a leader in educational reform, I am humbled to see how my work has mirrored hers, as I, too, have strived to challenge systemic inequities and create pathways for transformative change —

from teaching in communities that have been systematically under-resourced to advocating for policy reform as the first Black woman elected to the Federal Way School Board. I currently serve as an elected official to the Washington State Board of Education and champion education and empowerment. The path that Ms. Roberta walked provided a road map for others, like me, to follow.

3. Leader — Empowerment Through Shared Leadership

Ms. Roberta's commitment to empowering others was evident in her trailblazing work in television with "Face to Face." Using a new medium of the time, television, to engage the audience and inform the public about civil rights, this show did not shirk from controversy. On a recent trip to the Legacy Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, I was excited to come face to face with Ms. Roberta’s picture and a brief story of her leadership on display with thousands of other legends in the ongoing struggle for civil rights. Her commitment to truth and dialogue laid the groundwork for meaningful change.

Likewise, our staff and volunteer team at Byrd Barr Place prioritize transparency and collaboration in their leadership in all roles of our organization. They are empowered to effect positive change within our community. By nurturing a culture of shared leadership and accountability, we strive to amplify diverse voices and perspectives in pursuit of our mission to build an equitable future for all Washingtonians.

4. Activist — Advocacy for Equity

Ms. Roberta's advocacy for equity resonates profoundly in today's socio-political landscape. Her resolute and unwavering efforts, from serving on the State Board Against Discrimination to her involvement in prominent civil rights organizations, exemplify a lifelong dedication to justice and equality. Through her service with the NAACP, Seattle Urban League, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Ms. Roberta created legal, economic, and social equity for Black people.

Building upon Ms. Roberta’s legacy, Byrd Barr Place advocates for policies that promote social, economic, and racial justice for all members of our community at all levels of government. Byrd Barr Place is in the state's 37th legislative district with a unique opportunity to work with Black elected officials at the local, county, and state levels, including our Mayor and Seattle City Councilmember, our King County Councilmember, and one of our state representatives. We are well positioned to amplify the voices of our community and advocate for policies that dismantle barriers to equity.

5. Storyteller — Resilience and Renewal

A commitment to using storytelling as a vehicle for resilience and cultural preservation is a cornerstone of Ms. Roberta’s legacy. Through initiatives like hosting a television show on KCTS called "Let's Imagine" and helping establish the African American Collection at the Seattle Public Library, she ensured that narratives of Black excellence and resilience would endure for generations to come.

Embracing the philosophy of Sankofa, which teaches us about learning from the past to build toward the future, we are inspired by Ms. Roberta to honor our organization's history from our inception in 1964 as CAMP to our current iteration as Byrd Barr Place. By sharing our story of service and partnership with the community, we celebrate our past achievements, while envisioning a future filled with hope and possibility.

As we commemorate our 60th anniversary this year, I invite you to join us in shaping a bold future rooted in the principles of justice, equity, and community solidarity. Together, let us continue to weave a vibrant tapestry of belonging and empowerment for all. Reach out and say hello — your voice is an integral thread in the fabric of our shared journey.