Donyel Barber receives Citizenship and Service Award from Gaston Business Association

When Donyel Barber was graduated from Spelman College in Atlanta in 1996, she had the chance to pursue bigger jobs with bigger salaries in bigger cities.

Instead, the 1992 graduate of Ashbrook High School decided to return home to Gastonia, home to the community where her parents taught her the value of servant leadership, home to make a positive impact among the people she knew best.

This week, the Gaston Business Association will recognize those efforts in presenting her the 2021 Citizenship and Service Award at its annual meeting and celebration.

The award, sponsored by Duke Energy, is presented each year to "an individual who uses their time, talent, and compassion to positively affect the lives of others in their communities and/or in the workplace."

"It's always particularly special to be honored at home," said Barber of receiving the award. "State and even national awards are great, but being honored here at home, that's especially satisfying."

Certainly the most visible aspect of that positive influence can be seen in Barber's service on the Gastonia City Council, to which she was elected in November of 2019.

But Barber has also been honored for her work in the community before winning elective office, having received the Dr. Edward D. Sadler Jr. Award from United Way of Gaston County, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Award from the Gaston Clergy and Concerned Citizens Coalition, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from President Barack Obama.

But going back to her decision to return home after her college graduation.

"I came back because I wanted to make a positive difference in this community," she remembered. "And I also came back because of family. My dad had died when I was in middle school and I really wanted to be close to my mom."

"She died about a year and a half after I came home," Barber added. "So I'm really glad that I had that time with her."

Barber first worked at the Gaston County Department of Social Services, where she was a child protective services staffer, conducting investigations of child abuse and neglect.

From 2004 until 2016, she served as the executive director of Family Promise of Gaston County, a program dedicated to helping families in crisis and in homeless situations regain their independence and self-sufficiency.

Since March of 2016, Barber has been the community-centered health coordinator for Gaston Family Health Services.

"Over the years, I have served as both a connection and a resource," said Barber of her professional life. "At times, I have been able to directly provide help. At others I have been the connector between the person in need and the resource they need."

Her guiding philosophy through those years: "Take care of God's business, and he will take care of your business."

Both in her profession and in her role as a City Council member, Barber stressed that it is important not just to look at the symptoms of a problem, but at "the root of the issue."

"We have to dig deeper," she said. "We have to look at why things are occurring and what we can do on fundamental levels to make changes and to provide equity for all of our residents."

Asked if she thought of herself as a role model, particularly for young women and young women of color, Barber answered, "Yes. I do. I have a very methodical way of approaching issues. I'm very strategic in the way I look at things. I think young women can learn from that."

As to thanking the Gaston Business Association, Barber said, "I really appreciate them looking at me for who I am. I just want to thank them and thank Duke Energy for honoring me in this way."

Bill Poteat may be reached at 704-869-1855 or bpoteat@gastongazette.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Ashbrook High School alum receives Citizenship and Service Award