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Barbara Bernier Steps Up as THRIVE ON! Board Chair
THRIVE ON! Network Inc. (THRIVE ON!) is proud to announce that Barbara L. Bernier has been appointed as Board President, bringing decades of experience in law, education, cultural leadership, and social justice to guide THRIVE ON! as it enters the final four months of its two-year pilot.
September 2, 2025
A Seasoned Leader, Rooted in Justice
Born and raised in Harlem to Haitian parents, Barbara Bernier’s life and career reflect a commitment to equity, education, and community empowerment. A graduate of the State University of New York system, she earned her JD at Howard University School of Law and her LL.M. in Legal Education at Temple University.
Her professional journey has spanned classrooms, courtrooms, and community spaces—from serving as a professor of law at the University of Illinois College of Law, where she developed courses on Social Justice and Women’s Rights and the U.S. Supreme Court, to designing international law programs in France, Austria, and Switzerland.
Current Leadership Roles
Today, Bernier leads or contributes to several organizations at the intersection of justice, culture, and education:
Director of Legal Oversight at F.A.R.M.S. (Family Agriculture Resource Management Services) — a national nonprofit offering legal and technical services to aging Black and Indigenous farmers, protecting family farmland, and ensuring food access. Backed by a MacArthur Racial Healing Grant, Bernier oversees litigation, needs and talent assessments, and community outreach.
Board Member, La Maison Baldwin (The James Baldwin Foundation) — dedicated to honoring Baldwin’s legacy during the Centennial Celebration of his birth, advancing cultural preservation and critical dialogue.
Founder, Life Law© — a project designed to give young adults guidance on employment, housing, and relationships.
Principal, The Ellery Group — consulting on legal, cultural, and equal justice issues.
General Counsel & Columnist, Brownstone Magazine, where she authors Sweet Tea – Legal Wisdom.
Curriculum Developer & Instructor, EXPLO and Leadership Coach with Braven, mentoring high school and college students.
Strengthening THRIVE ON!’s Board
Bernier’s appointment as Board President comes at a pivotal moment: THRIVE ON! is preparing to conclude its two-year pilot with a strong Board of Directors that will guide the transition into long-term growth and sustainability.
“Barbara brings the rare combination of legal expertise, cultural leadership, and deep community values,” said Keyvious Avery, President of THRIVE ON!. “Her leadership will strengthen and structure our Board as we move beyond the pilot and into THRIVE ON!’s next era.”
About Barbara Bernier
Barbara L. Bernier is an attorney, professor, consultant, and nonprofit leader whose career spans law, education, and cultural justice. Her full bio and portfolio can be found at barbarabernier.com.
About THRIVE ON!
THRIVE ON! is a youth-driven nonprofit based in Kingston, NY. Through its Early Thrivers program and Rootwork incubator, THRIVE ON! equips young people and grassroots leaders to design, build, and lead the solutions their communities need.