Q&A with Reverend Leroy Barber
The Rev. Leroy Barber wears many hats. Formerly Director of Innovation at the Oregon-Idaho Conference of the United Methodist Church, Barber is currently the associate pastor at the Groves Church in Sunnyside and the Executive Director of a North Carolina-based nonprofit called Neighborhood Economics, which supports entrepreneurs in disenfranchised neighborhoods. He’s also Black Santa PDX. Finally, as if that weren’t enough to keep him busy, he just opened a coffee shop, Grinds & Vines, in the basement of the Sunnyside Methodist Church. Barber also loves to wear actual hats—including this red fedora. Stop by to have a latte or pour-over, and give him and his daughter Jessica a big welcome!
How long have you been in Portland?
Leroy: I’m from Atlanta. I came here about ten years ago for a job with a non-governmental organization called Word Made Flesh, but they’ve since moved. They work in nine different countries. I’ve done a lot of work with missions, and international and community development.
Do you live in Sunnyside?
Leroy: No. I live in Southeast Portland but further out, towards Gresham.
Why did you start your business in Sunnyside?
Leroy: I worked for the Methodist Conference for about five years and I invited Sunia [Gibbs, pastor at The Groves Church] and the Groves to be part of this building [the old Sunnyside Methodist Church]—to help renovate it and run it as a community center. A few years ago, we found old pictures—like, twenty years old—showing that there used to be a coffee shop in the basement. So that’s what gave me the idea. And I just think Sunnyside is a good neighborhood. It’s a close-knit community.
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