Barbara Mitchell-King: Family and Fairness

Story by Josy Jones, The Devil Strip

For Barbara Mitchell-King of Akron, Ohio, family and fairness come first. Her parents didn’t always have the right to vote, so Mitchell-King treats her trip to the polls as a badge of honor. At the same time, she experiences the dual consciousness of being Black in America—facing the realities of racism and injustice as she celebrates the joys of her tight-knit family. Her photo, taken by her great-nephew, exemplifies the happiness and connection—the fun and pride—she shares with her relatives. In her interview for Ohio Values, she talks about injustices she has experienced and how having leaders who value equality is important to her. As a mother, aunt and now grandmother, she emphasizes the importance of standing up for herself and encouraging future generations of Black children to know that they are important, that they are loved, and that they will succeed, despite any obstacles in their way.