Barney is an active member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves on the Deacons Ministry. Over the years, he has received numerous accolades, including recognition by Outstanding Young Men of America, the McKinney Vito Homeless Service Award for his work educating the homeless, and the Excellence in Education Award from Sumter School District. He also serves on the board of the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition and has earned the prestigious Jefferson Award, presented by WACH Fox News in Columbia, SC. Barney is dedicated to improving the Sumter community, tirelessly working to make it a better place to live, work, worship, and play.
Currently, Barney serves as the director of the M.H. Newton Family Life Enrichment Center, a position he has held since 2000. Under his leadership, the center has expanded its services and programs to better serve Sumter's residents.
Barney has been instrumental in fostering a successful partnership between the M.H. Newton Family Life Center and the youth of the Sumter community. He spearheaded the Helping Youth Pursue Excellence (H.Y.P.E.) Afterschool Program, a collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Education's Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grants, Sumter School District, and the M.H. Newton Family Life Center. Since its inception in August 2003, H.Y.P.E. has grown into a phenomenal program, serving more than 400 students across seven locations. Additionally, Barney acts as a community liaison for the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health, contributing to initiatives like Project P.A.T.H. (Positive Activity for Today's Health), Project D.R.I.V.E. (Developing Real Incentives and Volition for Exercise), and Project P.L.A.Y. (Positive Leisure Activities for Youth).
Barney also partnered with the South Carolina Department of Social Services through the CACFP program to ensure students receive a hot meal upon arrival at the afterschool program and a snack before heading home.
Barney and his wife, Dorothy (née Williams), are proud parents to three daughters—Lashawn, Brittney, and Breanna—and grandparents to eight grandchildren: Kailan, Kamdyn, Bryson, Braden, Darius, Dakota, Maddison, and Baker.
