Award-Winning author and speaker Barnard Sims, whose pen name is Barnard the Barber, focuses his writing on themes of anti-racism and social equity in modern times.

 

Barnard is the retired owner of Barnard’s Hair Salon. Barnard served as the cosmetology instructor at Athens Technical College, while he earned an associate’s degree in public services.

​

As a passionate civil rights activist, Barnard became the VP of his local NAACP and a writer for the legal redress team.

​

Challenged by SiriusXM Urban View talk show host, Joe Madison, The Black Eagle's question, "What are you going to do about injustice?." Barnard created his own talk show titled: The Way it Is. The vision for The Way it Is, is to amplify the Black Voices that are often drowned out in the rural south. 

 

Understanding that it is just not enough to simply say "we are not racist, homophobic, anti semitic, xenophobic, etc." Barnard believes that we must do the work to become an anti racist society, ensuring that we are creating supportive environments for everyone, so that each individual has the liberated space they need to follow their life's divine path.

​

Barnard is also a USCF District Chess Coach, and founder of (501c3) Reach One Chess, Inc.  ROC's origins stem from the African Proverb:  "Each One, Teach One".  A powerful message instilling into the next generation of leaders the importance of reaching back to help others. Coach Barnard uses chess as a metaphor for life to inspire at risk youth to never underestimate themselves nor their abilities to make our society better.  

​

Barnard's philanthropy has made ways for children to publish illustrated books, and he has also helped a number of youth to become first-time authors themselves!

​

Barnard is an actor, recently in the movie Till produced by Whoopi Goldberg.

 

Barnard the Barber says that the key to The Southern Awakening is to:

​

"Believe Big, and God Will Help!"

​