​Barbara Talley – Brief Bio

• ​Barbara E. Talley is fondly called ”Mother of Southfield” in the Southfield political arena.
• 1983- first African American elected to public office in Southfield, MI, serving two terms on City Council; initiated Affirmative Action Plan hiring minority police, fire, management personnel, and elevating women in city  government. - first African American to run for Mayor of Southfield against a 29 year long- term Mayor, losing by 97 votes. 
• Founded Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Task Force, 1986, and had first Peace Walk in the State which continues as the largest in the State of Michigan. 
• Headed a delegation to Ixtapa- Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico yearly to participate in a Peace Celebration.   recognized  with  distinction  by  Mayor Fernando V. Silva for   peace work in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico.
• Project Director-  Traveling exhibit “Pathway to Freedom in the Americas: Shared Experiences between Michigan, USA and Guerrero, Mexico.

• Founding Executive Director of Detroit Renaissance District Peace Center, United Methodist Church; 2008 coordinated a Peace Mission to Liberia, West Africa o meet President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and conducted peace workshops for post civil war teenagers.
• Authored a book: Pathways to Interfaith Dialogue: An Innovative Model for Peace And Community Building.
• Retired Oakland County Senior Financial Analyst. 
• Education –  Business Science Degree (BS) from Wayne Statue University, Masters in Public Administration (MPA) , Central Michigan University  
• Volunteers and member in many civic organizations:  Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Southfield Alumnae Chapter, Southfield Historical Society National Congress of Black Women, Hope United Methodist Church, MLK, Jt. Task Force Advisory Board.
• Has received numerous community service awards, latest:– The National Sojourner Truth Award from the National Association of Negro Business  and Professional Women’s Clubs, Inc.; – Drum Major for Justice Award for the Beloved Community, from the United Methodist Church; Distinguished Warrior from Urban League of Detroit & Southeastern Michigan., Justice and Equality Award,  from MLK, Jr. Task Force.
• She is a native Detroiter, married and has two adult children.

Join us on September 6, 2019 when Barbara Talley will be a speaker at our Networking Breakfast.