Celebrating Black History Month on Barney Wiki

SUPER-DEE-DUPER! We're celebrating Black History Month for the entire month of February! This month will showcase various initiatives across Fandom to celebrate and spotlight the contributions of the many African-Americans. For more fun outside this wiki, be sure to check out this blog post on Community Central that highlights various initiatives in honor of Black History Month on Fandom.

History

Black History Month

Barney at the dinner table with a black family.

Black History Month first started out as Negro History Week in February 1926. It eventually grew to be a month in 1970 as it was first celebrated that year at Kent State University. In 1975, President Gerald Ford urged Americans to recognize and honor the contributions made by black citizens. In the United States, Black History Month is also known as African-American History Month. Black History Month is also recognized and observed in Ireland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and the United Kingdom. While the United States celebrates the observance in February, European countries celebrate during March and October.

Figures

Below are some photos of Barney the Dinosaur with a few notable Black figures in time.

Barney presented with a "Library Hero" plaque from ALA President Hardy R. Franklin in Columbus, Ohio.

Barney with American folk singer and actress Ella Jenkins.

Barney meets Nelson Mandela on March 24, 1997.

People

To celebrate Black History Month on Barney Wiki, we wanted to highlight many of the Super-Dee-Duper and stupendous people that have made the Barney franchise what it is, as well as recommend some Barney & Friends episodes below!

Actors

Barney

David Joyner, the original body of Barney on Barney & Friends. Joyner played Barney from 1991-2005, 2008.

Maurice Scott, a body of Barney.

Antwaun Steele, a body of Barney.

Miguel Franklin, a body of Barney in Barney Live in Concert - Birthday Bash!.

Aronzo Traylor II, a body of Barney in A Day in the Park with Barney.

Child actors

Salim Grant, portrayed Jason.

Rickey Carter, portrayed Derek.

Hope Cervantes, portrayed Tosha.

Maurié Chandler, portrayed Ashley.

Monét Chandler, portrayed Alissa.

Kyla Pratt, portrayed Marcella.

Mera Baker, portrayed Keesha.

Kayla S. Levels, portrayed Whitney.

Daven Wilson, portrayed Jackson.

Madison Pettis, portrayed Bridget.

Victoria Lennox, portrayed Tracy.

Justice Moore, portrayed Holly.

Peyton Alex Smith, portrayed Jamal.

Skye Blakely, portrayed a party kid in A-Counting We Will Go.

Other

Phyllis Cicero, portrayed Stella the Storyteller.

DeWayne Hambrick, portrayed Old King Cole.

Dell Johnson, portrayed Mr. Copeland.

Other

Michelle Obama, Lawyer/handled accounts for Barney.

Nina Shelton, a writer for Barney & Friends.

Roberta Flack, a singer for Barney's Great Adventure: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Peabo Bryson, a singer for Barney's Great Adventure: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Take 6, a group that sung for Barney's Great Adventure: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.

Television

To celebrate Black History Month on Barney Wiki, we wanted to recommend some Barney & Friends episodes. While these aren't necessarily about Black individuals, these episodes put a spotlight on a few!

"Be A Friend", Barney & Friends episode (S1, E16).

"A Very Special Delivery!", Barney & Friends episode (S2, E18).

"Twice Is Nice!", Barney & Friends episode (S3, E7).

"Aunt Rachel Is Here!", Barney & Friends episode (S5, E15).

"Grandparents Are Grand", Barney & Friends episode (S6, E3).

"Dancing", Barney & Friends episode (S10, E18A).

Trivia

Robert Griffin III wearing Barney socks at a press conference.

Anika Noni Rose hugging Sydney Elise Russell with a Barney plush in her hand.

The Biggie Barney backpack on a boat.

Merchandise

• Robert Griffin III, a former NFL star, wore Barney socks to a press conference in January 2012.
• In 2017, Sprayground partnered with Mattel to drop a Biggie-inspired hat and backpack that saw Barney decked out in a signature Coogi sweater complete with sunglasses and a gold chain that was inspired by the style of Biggie Smalls (also known as The Notorious B.I.G.). Biggie's style defined '90s hip-hop culture and set off a fashion trend during that decade as he was known for repping colorful knitwear.
• On December 28, 2019, Sydney Elise Russell, who's known as Young Elsa in the stage adaptation of Frozen, met Anika Noni Rose, who's best known for voicing Tiana, Disney's first African-American princess, as seen in The Princess and the Frog. During the time the two met, Russell had a mini Barney plush with her.

Television

• Barney first reached official pop culture status when he was parodied in a Saturday Night Live sketch in the fall of 1993. The Barney likeness played a game of one-on-one basketball against Phoenix Suns superstar Charles Barkley.
• Barney appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, which was the first nationally syndicated daily talk show to be hosted by a black female.
• Questlove led everyone to sing "I Love You" on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
• In the episode "Guess Who?", Barney and his friends do a nod to the choreography of the song "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.

Videos

Interviews

What It's Like To Play Barney For 10 Years

David Joyner On Playing 'Barney' for 10 Years & Tantric Energy! - Out Loud With Claudia Jordan

Barney rap from Backyard Gang kid Derek - Purple Tales Podcast Episode 15

Purple Roads Episode Seven - Phyllis Cicero

Involvement

David Joyner next to Barney.

David Joyner holds a giant Barney plush doll.

Fandom

• The theme for this year, 2023, will focus on Black Resistance, which explores how Black Americans have fought to create safe spaces, equity, and equality. Fandom is hosting various activities that you can be a part of! Keep an eye out for all the news on Community Central.

Comment Section

• While there are many Black individuals who have impacted the Barney franchise who aren't on this post, we would love to know who your favorite are in the Barney franchise! We would love to know how some Black Americans involved in the Barney franchise have impacted you.

Outside of Fandom

• You can also be involved in the month long celebration by posting a picture or video of Black Americans on social media.