Deborah Barfield Berry
National Correspondent
Deborah Barfield Berry is a national correspondent for USA Today covering voting rights, civil rights and politics. She has worked on several award-winning projects, including Seven Days of 1961, 1619: Searching for Answers and Deadly Discrimination, a series on how racist policies fueled the spread of COVID in communities of color. Prior to joining Gannett News Service/USA Today, she worked for Newsday, Knight Ridder Washington Bureau, the Providence Journal and others. She has won many awards, including a Pulitzer as part of a team at Newsday and several from the National Association of Black Journalists. Berry is a 2023 Nieman Fellow.
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My Recent Work
Haitians in limbo as Trump administration tries to end status early
Amistad star: 'Time for Afro descendants to know where they come from'
'We will not let our history be erased:' SNCC vets share lessons
My family's trip to Angola wasn't a vacation, it was a moving journey
In photos: Walking through history on the Angola heritage tour
Notice a theme to Trump's takeover of cities? These Black mayors do.
Trump administration slams Dems for not backing crackdown on crime
Activists worry the Voting Rights Act’s protections are at risk
Apollo Theater and other Black historic sites get preservation grants
Black women in state legislatures nearly doubled since 2014
Lawmakers renew push for women’s history museum
'It's a slur:' Native Americans push back against old Commanders' name
Lupita Nyong'o joins Black lawmakers to lobby for fibroid research
Lupita Nyong’o joins fibroid research fight
Congressional lawmakers mark the 5th anniversary of John Lewis' death
Faith groups plan protests across the South over budget cuts
On the 'Journey to Freedom', students get close to Black history
Participants make stops along a 14-day "Journey to Freedom'' tour.
Protests erupt calling for U.S. to stay out of a war in Middle East
Millions in the path of early summer heat wave
Black groups, some founded in the 1800s, still exist. Are they still needed?
On Juneteenth, these communities are keeping their stories alive
Advocates hope Juneteenth renews support for reparations bills
Families of Emanuel Nine recall poignant moment Obama sang 'Amazing Grace'
Bishop attacked by Trump open to meeting over LGBTQ+ rights
'We need to stand up': Groups fight book bans and preserve history
Harvard to send photo of enslaved man to SC museum after legal battle
How the GOP's SAVE Act includes 'poison pills' for some voters
Trump said lawmaker was 'out of control' at detention center visit
2 historic AZ buildings are among most at risk in US
Michigan hotel on list of nation's most endangered historic sites
Is there an endangered historic site in your community?
Who gets to write America's history? Activists prepare to battle.
Activists say Trump’s first 100 days mark setback for civil rights
Protestors join rally to support the national African American museum
'We’re shouting from the mountaintop' Activists rally for Black museum
Study shows many confederate symbols remain. Activists want them gone
Activists warn Trump’s order threatens 60 years of civil rights gains
Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin announces he won’t seek reelection Despite the anti-DEI push, lawmakers push for national Latino museum
Could Trump transform D.C.'s African American history museum? Could Trump transform African American history museum in D.C.? Could Trump transform D.C.'s African American history museum?
America's capital city in the crosshairs of GOP leadership
Trump administration drops lawsuit over Ga. election laws
Despite uphill battle, Dems roll out bills to address disparities
Voting advocates sound alarm on Trump's proof of citizenship order
Federal cuts at tribal colleges leave students 'scared and worried'
60 years since Bloody Sunday: The 'most inspiring stories of courage'
Shoppers are boycotting Target for at least 40 days; here's why