The addition of Marion Barry Avenue SE to D.C.’s street map Saturday is another permanent monument to the District’s beloved “mayor for life.”
City officials and other prominent figures celebrated the renaming of Good Hope Road SE after longtime mayor and councilmember Marion Barry Jr. with a ceremony and block party, the culmination of years of advocacy by Barry supporters who called for him to be memorialized with a D.C. street. Barry, who served four terms as D.C. mayor and was a fierce advocate for Ward 8 and all of D.C.’s Black residents, died in 2014.
The D.C. Council unanimously approved the bill to change the name, sponsored by Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, earlier this year. Marion Barry Avenue SE intersects with Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE at the entryway to the historic Anacostia neighborhood.
A who’s who of D.C. dignitaries lauded Barry at the event Saturday, including D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, Mayor Muriel Bowser, Barry’s widow, Cora Masters Barry, and others.
Cora Masters Barry, Marion Barry’s widow, speaking at his street renaming ceremony in SE.Mike Maguire / DCistD.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton also spoke at the Street renaming ceremony.Mike Maguire / DCistMayor Bowser reminisced about her time working with Marion Barry when they both served on the D.C. Council. Barry died shortly after she was first elected mayor. She said he told her to do for Ward 8 what he hadn’t been able to do.Mike Maguire / DCistThe Metropolitan Police Department Honor Guard was present at the street renaming ceremony.Mike Maguire / DCistCharles Dark of Upper Marlboro traveled to the city for the street renaming ceremony. “This day means a lot to us, because Marion Barry meant so much to the city. I live in Upper Marlboro, but I work in the city thanks to Mayor Barry.”Mike Maguire / DCist“The street name means Marion Barry’s legacy is assured,” said Melanie Campbell, President and CEO National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. “Young people will know who he was.”Mike Maguire / DCistWard 8 resident Nakeya Gilbert (left), with her mother Katherine. “This is long overdue. He should have had a street named after him long ago. He was the best mayor we’ve ever had.”Mike Maguire / DCistSeveral councilmembers were spotted at the renaming ceremony, including D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson.Mike Maguire / DCistPamela Matthews, lifelong Ward 8 resident. “Mayor Barry helped the youth, he helped the seniors. He helped all of us. This is awesome, and I couldn’t miss it.”Mike Maguire / DCistA slate of vendors set up their stalls at the street naming ceremony for Marion Barry Avenue SE.Mike Maguire / DCistRev. Willie F. Wilson, Sr., Pastor Emeritus Union Temple Baptist Church, pouring one out for Marion Barry. “There is an African proverb that says whenever you call out the name of a person who has transitioned, they will remain alive. With the renaming of this street, Marion Barry’s name will now be called out every day.”Mike Maguire / DCistWard 8 Councilmember Trayon White leads the crowd in a chant of “Barry! Barry! Barry!”Mike Maguire / DCistGo-go band E.U. played at the street naming ceremony for Marion Barry Ave SE.Mike Maguire / DCistMasters Barry onstage to dance with them as they started playing their 1998 hit “Da Butt.”Mike Maguire / DCistThe crowd viewed a video honoring Barry as they gathered for the renaming ceremony in SE.Mike Maguire / DCist
