Barbara Howard willingly accepts her assignments. Her belief in a higher power, being connected to God and knowing that something exists greater than herself has guided her for over twenty years of helping others in the community. “My Lord, my ancestors, my family and friends help keep me going. I truly believe I was born to make a difference.” Born into a family of Black business owners, early on her parents instilled into Barbara to take care of the community. She credits mentors who frequented her family-owned bakery in San Francisco’s Bayview District with teaching her about hospitality and providing good service to everyone, no matter how challenging.

Barbara says, “being sick and tired of being sick and tired of not loving herself,” motivated her to leave a domestic violence situation and to get away from the rampant drug use of the late 1980’s. She recalls when she considered suicide as a way out and how a gospel song on the radio interrupted her thoughts and how love for her two children led to her next assignments.

She sees her success in changing her life as not just her own story but something to share. Her next assignments were to inspire, encourage and motivate others to make positive changes in their lives. Barbara’s first job was delivering workshops at Oakland Tech High School for teen parents and then becoming a 180-Degree life coach in five elementary schools teaching social and emotional skills. She became a writer for a local newspaper. She is the founder of the Juneteenth Festival in Oakland’s Hoover District, a community-oriented festival held for the past 18 years.

Barbara believes everybody is somebody and will continue to help others build their tool box of self-help strategies. She supports her own mental wellness through maintaining her peace of mind, knowing that she is of value and holding on to her culture. Her goal is to leave a legacy of caring for the community and the next generation.