Mayor Barry’s Impact on Washington D.C.
Mayor Marion Barry was a transformational figure in the history of Washington D.C. During his four decades of service, he introduced new opportunities for prosperity to residents who had historically been overlooked. Mayor Barry brought pride to Washington D.C. and its residents and was loved and revered by the people who affectionately referred to him as “Mayor-for-Life.”
To capture his unparalleled impact, one must consider the people who worked beside him, the programs that he instituted, and the places that grew out of his vision.
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Impact of His Legacy: Local Leaders
Mayor Barry formed important relationships with many local leaders whose work has had lasting influence on the city. Among those leaders are Mayor Bowser and Michael C. Rogers.
Mayor Muriel Bowser
Mayor Muriel Bowser was a mentee of Mayor Barry. As her first official act upon election as Mayor, she renamed the Summer Youth Employment Program as the Marion Barry Summer Youth Employment Program.
Mayor Bowser established the Commission to Commemorate and Recognize the Honorable Marion S. Barry, Jr. to recommend appropriate ways to honor Mayor Barry.
On November 12, 2020, Mayor Bowser dedicated the building which houses the largest contingent of District employees formerly known as 441 4th Street (One Judiciary Square) — to the Mayor Marion S. Barry Jr. Building.
Michael C. Rogers
The first Manager of the Washington D.C. Convention Center; the last City Manager during Mayor Barry’s final term; Chair of the Commission to Commemorate and Recognize the Honorable Marion S. Barry, Jr.; and Chair of the Marion S. Barry Jr. Legacy Foundation.
Impact of His Legacy: Public Programs
Among the many significant programs launched by Mayor Barry, these three are thought to be among the most enduring and are listed in order of impact.
The Summer Youth Employment Program
Tens of thousands of young people have participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program since the 1970’s. When Barry first became Mayor in 1979, he committed local funding and doubled the size of the program. His commitment was that any youth who wanted a job could get one.
The program provided youth with an introduction to the work world to promote skill development and a desire to further their education and build careers. The program has also helped bring income stability to Washington D.C. households that were struggling to make ends meet.
This program became a regional and national model of how to implement a successful summer youth employment program.
The Minority Business Opportunity Commission
Mayor Barry established the Commission, committed to ensuring that minority contracting community was included in the prosperity that flowed from the city’s economic development.
Mayor Barry paved the way for other set aside programs by directing that 35% of the District’s business go to minority-owned firms.
Office on Aging
The Administration’s work with seniors supported by the establishment of the Office on Aging demonstrated Mayor Barry’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that seniors did not become a forgotten demographic, and that they would be able to age well with dignity and purpose.