Reverend Dr. Clifford D. Barnett, Sr. was elected to the Wilmington City Council in 2017, and re-elected in 2021 and 2023. He is currently the Wilmington Mayor Pro-Temp.  Barnett is passionate about affordable housing being available to families and safe neighborhoods.

Barnett was appointed pastor of Warner Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Wilmington, NC, October 2009.  Since being in Wilmington and pastoring Warner Temple Church, Dr. Barnett continues to be involved in the community. He serves as the Chairman of the Southeastern Dropout Prevention Coalition at UNC-Wilmington, Co-chair of the NHC Community Resilience Task Force, a member of the Cape Fear Coalition for a Drug Free – Tomorrow Committee and a member of the D. C. Virgo Prep Academy Board of Advisors, where he also serves as a mentor to five boys weekly. He is a member of the Smart Start Board and the Boots on the Ground Ministry. He has been an integral part of the First 2,000 Days Initiative, bringing to light the effect of toxic stress during the first 2,000 days of an infant’s life, in New Hanover County.

Dr. Barnett is married to the former Waltrina White of Rock Hill, SC for 35 years. They have three children.  Thank you for your service for all of these years in our community!