Pastor Barry K. Hargrove

With the passing of the Reverend Barry Kennard Hargrove, on Oct.6 at 5 p.m. at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, the world has lost a social justice champion, and Maryland will say goodbye to one of its most progressive, community-based spiritual leaders. As the Pastor and Senior Minister at the Prince of Peace Baptist Church in the McElderry Park community in Baltimore since 2006, Rev. Hargrove championed initiatives to address such needs as environmental justice and healthy food habits in East Baltimore. And as a Chaplain with the Baltimore Police Department, Rev. Hargrove worked in coalition with other faith leaders to restore a spirit of safety and security to the City of Baltimore. Rev. Hargrove described his work through his church's motto, "We are a mountain-moving people determined to pursue and realize our fullest potential through Christ." A native of East Orange, New Jersey, Barry Hargrove was the eldest of two children, born to Trumilla and Bernard Hargrove on Jan. 20, 1966 in Bellville, New Jersey. Blessed with a rich spiritual upbringing, Rev. Hargrove was baptized at Union Baptist Church in Orange, N.J. at the age of 13 by Dr. J. Vance McGyver, and under the leadership of Rev. William Freeman, he remained an active member of his hometown church community until he went to college. With the exception of a brief stint as an exchange student in France his junior year of high school (where he marveled at the French eating "chitlins'" and calling it tripe) Barry spent his early school years in the East Orange public school system. After graduating, he moved to Washington, D.C., to study at Georgetown University. During his Hoya years, Barry earned the unofficial title of "Mayor of Black Georgetown," and from his daily perch on the bench off Healy Circle, he held court. With leadership positions in the University's NAACP and Black Student Association and membership in the gospel choir, Barry is best remembered for pioneering and curating the University's highly successful Star Search and fashion shows. When asked to reflect on Barry, his friends and former classmates note his "unapologetic love of black folks"; great passion for and knowledge of music; and efforts to mentor young African American men. A proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, which he crossed at the Iota Zeta Chapter at the University of Maryland, Barry loved to sport his black and old gold and promote the fraternity's spirit of brotherhood, scholarship, and dedication to "social purpose and social action." Rev. Hargrove received his calling to ministry in his early 20's and was ordained by the Reverend Dr. Charles Wallace Smith at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., where he served as the Director of the nationally and internationally recognized Black Male Youth Enhancement Project. He pursued graduate studies at the University of the District of Columbia and Wesley Theological Seminary of Washington, D.C., before embarking upon a professional career that included government/legislative affairs and public outreach positions with the NAACP, ACLU, and National Black Child Development Institute. Political affairs were a passion, and Rev. Hargrove campaigned for Sharon Pratt Dixon's inaugural mayoral run and subsequently served in her administration in the Office of Intergovernmental Relations. Pastor Hargrove is a a two-time kidney recipient and was active in the transplant community throughout the Maryland and Washington, D.C. region, even raising funds through active participation in the Rappel for Kidney Health. He served as a spokesperson and religious affairs advisor for the National Kidney Foundation of Maryland and was appointed by Gov. Larry Hogan to the Maryland State Kidney Disease Commission His work in the transplant community has been featured in local and national media. A tireless advocate for social justice, Pastor Hargrove served as President of the Progressive Baptist Convention of Maryland; executive committee member of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Maryland; and represented the State of Maryland on the national steering committee of the African American Ministers Leadership Council. The recipient of a number of awards and honors, the District recognized him in 1996 with a proclamation naming Jan. 20 of that year "Rev. Barry K. Hargrove Day" in the District of Columbia. And, in 2004, he was honored by the ACLU of Mississippi as a Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Trailblazer. At the time of his death, Rev. Hargrove was writing his first book to share his experience of living with chronic illness, navigating the healthcare system, and keeping a strong faith in the midst of it all. A flag will fly over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Rev. Hargrove's service to his country and will be presented to his parents. Barry leaves to mourn his parents; sister, Bernika Simmons, and brother-in-law, Ronald Simmons; niece, Taylor Simmons; nephew, Zachary Simmons; godmother, Idella Tyson; godson, Ethan Tyree; and a host of aunts, uncles, and loved ones. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial gifts be made to: National Kidney Foundation Serving Maryland and Delaware Heaver Plaza 1301 York Road, Suite 209 Lutherville, MD 21093-6007 Or online: http://www.kidneymd.org/donate-now/ways-to-give/#parentVerticalTab1

Tributes

Pastor Barry K. Hargrove

January 20, 1966 - October 6, 2017