Timothy A. Barber
Director, Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum
Timothy A. Barber is the Director of the Meek-Eaton Black Archives Research Center and Museum. He has held numerous positions at the Black Archives, History & Research Foundation of South Florida; including his beginnings as archivist intern in 2003, promotion to Archivist and Curator in 2006, and previous appointment as Executive Director from 2009 to 2022.
As Executive Director of the Black Archives, History & Research Foundation of South Florida, Barber successfully administered a ten million dollar GOB capital grant fund to expand and re-open the Historic Lyric Theater, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. He has also leveraged federal grants from the Institute of Museums and Library Services along with local county grants to create sustainability for the organization’s operations and programming.
Under his leadership, The Black Archives has become one of the leading black cultural institutions in South Florida; through the development of signature arts, culture and educational programming. Barber has engaged in national partnerships with organizations such as the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, for the South Florida exhibition of Visions of Our 44th President Barack Obama at the Black Archives Historic Lyric Theater. Barber has also been influential in restoring Miami’s Historic Overtown as a destination for cultural entertainment, theater and events, working as a cultural partner of the SEOPW Community Redevelopment Agency.
A Miami native, Barber earned his AS in electronic engineering technology from Bauder College, and his BA in English and MA in History from Florida A&M University. He is a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc.; Society of American Archivists; and the Association of African American Museums.
Areas of Expertise:
- Program Development
- Career Management
- Professional Development
- Pathways to Senior Leadership
- Administration
- Community Engagement
- Multiplatform Presentation
- Institutional Programming
- Board Development
Timothy currently serves AAAM as Conference Host Chair.