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<sup id="_ref-0" class="reference">Barry was born in Itta Bena, Mississippi, but grew up in Memphis, is an Eagle Scout, and graduated from LeMoyne College (now LeMoyne-Owen College) in 1958. Barry also graduated with a Masters of organic chemistry from Fisk University in 1960.
Afterwards he joined the American civil rights movement during a movement to eliminate racial segregation of bus passengers, and was elected the first chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). He abandoned his doctoral chemistry studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee for his new duties. During his time leading SNCC, Barry heavily lobbied against racial segregation and discrimination.
Barry is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., a prominent black fraternity.
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