Leaders are dire, more specifically youth leaders are needed now more than ever in St. Louis. In an era where social media easily influences youth, it’s rare to see youth making a direct positive impact on each other. For incoming sophomore at Washington University, Precious Barry, that is a challenge she’s chosen to face head-on.

Barry pushes the importance of the youth utilizing their greatest asset–their voice. Barry’s passion for advocacy began at an early age. While undergoing the many challenges that come with growing up in a broken household, residing in a provisionally accredited school district, and even navigating the complexities of adolescence, Precious has learned the importance of using her voice. Finding her voice was a challenge like no other. Now that she has found it, she’s made it her mission to ensure that the youth of St. Louis find their voice as well.

Finding Her Voice as a Youth

While other teens her age were just learning how to use their voices as they embarked on their high school journeys, Barry was establishing herself as an advocate for her community. Around the age of 14, Precious began attending school and district board meetings to ensure that students’ voices in her district were being heard. This was just an ounce of the change Barry knew she was capable of making. After noticing that schools such as Ritenour High School had allowed a Student representative to provide the school board with student perspectives on decisions they made, Precious knew that she wanted to fill a similar role in her school community. Becoming the first-ever Student Representative in the Riverview Gardens School District.

After receiving a full ride from Washington University, the sophomore African American Studies major faced new challenges. After living in a predominantly black neighborhood her entire childhood, entering a university as a minority was tough at the beginning. In Barry’s words, “finding her people” helped make her college transition smooth. The Association of Black Students at Wash U quickly became a safe haven for Barry to express herself and not worry about the troubles that come with being the only black face in a room on campus. From experiencing imposter syndrome to learning how to persevere and face challenges in her new environment, being one of few black students at the university, has made using her voice more vital.

Ready to Motivate and Lead the Way

Precious is aware of the issues facing her community and instead of allowing them to deter her attitude towards the city, she is ready to address them head-on because she believes that St. Louis is “worth saving.” In her efforts to do just that, she’s found that it starts with the youth. When given the platform and space for youth to use their voice. It is then that change can occur.

Having already begun her journey as a motivational speaker she’s found sharing her story with others rewarding. For Barry, sharing her story has shaped her into a better individual mentally and physically. Five years ago she wouldn’t have envisioned being an author, she wouldn’t have believed it. At just nineteen years old, Barry became a published author. In her book, “Why I Use My Voice” Barry tells the story of her childhood as she navigated life challenges and learns why using her voice matters. 

Her advocacy journey won’t just stop in her community. Barry aspires to become a national motivational speaker and news anchor/reporter. Teaching other young people, like her, the importance of using their voice.

Although young, Barry has been shaped by St. Louis in more ways than one. Networking and making connections with so many great people has been a crucial part of her journey. “I just love my city and my community, and I can’t wait until I get older so I can make more change,” Barry states. She emphasizes the importance of organizations coming together and not competing to uplift and positively impact the community. “Keep continuing to advocate for each other and putting each other on the frontline, to make sure that we are getting the qualities, the resources, and necessities to get us to the next level so we can bridge those gaps, so we can get young people off the streets, and make sure people are taken care of.” Precious’s vision for St. Louis is clear, and one that we should all strive to make happen: a united community where everyone works together, especially with the youth, to achieve their shared goal of creating a better future for all.

Nevaeh Dudley
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