Strategic Thinking

Barbara is an expert at navigating the difficult terrain of race relations.  She specializes in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice programming and leadership training for government agencies, schools, non-profits and corporations seeking racial cultural change.  

A strategic thinker, she also has the soft skills necessary to create an atmosphere that fosters constructive dialogue.  She is genuine, respectful and has a positive attitude. People respond to those traits and for that reason feel comfortable and productive. Because she is always well-prepared, she exudes confidence. That confidence and knowledge breed trust among the group.  Barbara is able to use her talents to overcome contentious divides. Currently, she is involved with community engagement activities for the St. Paul’s Area Transformation, a joint project of the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the City of Norfolk, Virginia.

Experience

Prior to her work in Norfolk, Barbara held management positions with: Communications Technologies; Prince Georges County, Maryland Police Department; and Hamm and Fox Communications. She was a consultant to the National Federation of Community Broadcasters’ African American Public Radio Stations Initiative, consulting with 26 African American public radio stations on compliance, governance, development, programming and community engagement.  For eleven years, Barbara held a variety of leadership positions with WHRO Public Media.   

Most of Barbara’s career has been spent in television news management, including as News Director for WTKR-TV, Norfolk. She has also served as an adjunct journalism professor for Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University.  

Barbara is very involved in the community serving as a board member for the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities, and the National Center for the Prevention of Community Violence.  She served twice as Board Chair of the Board of Directors for the YWCA, South Hampton Roads, and is the former Chair, Board of Commissioners, Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Recognition

In 2018, Barbara was inducted into the Silver Circle for the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Chesapeake Bay Chapter; a lifetime achievement award honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the broadcast or cable industry either in a performing, creative, technical, or administrative role. She has received a Virginia Association of Broadcaster’s award, as well as three Excel Awards given by the National Association of Black Journalists, the largest organization of journalists of color in the world.

Barbara has been recognized for her work in the community, including being named by the YWCA-SHR as a 2010 Woman of Distinction; a Woman of Courage, Confidence and Character Award and a Famous Former Girl Scout Award, both from the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast; the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Award; the Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Service Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award, both from the Urban League of Hampton Roads; and was named as an Inside Business publication’s  “Top 25 Women in Business”.

Home

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Barbara is married to Maxie Lee, has two daughters and a granddaughter. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Bennett College and attends First Baptist Church, Berkley.