The success of a person lies in how well equipped and empowered they are, with the knowledge to become agents of change. Dr. Reed-Barnett believes that true power lies in knowing how our educational and judicial system works and making it “work for us not against us.” This belief has been instrumental in driving Gail to become an active and visible participant in the Brooklyn community. She served as secretary (1992-1998) and Second Vice President (1998-2007) to Alumni Association of Medgar Evers College. She presently holds the position of MEC board member. President (2001-2006) of the East 38th Street 2001 Block Association and she was the President of the Nova Southeastern University Alumni Association, Brooklyn Chapter. Dr. Reed-Barnett was elected Community Board 17 Chairperson from 2013 to 2015. Before becoming chairperson, she served on the Youth Services Planning Committee and Block Association.

Beyond Community Board 17, Dr. Reed-Barnett has worked with the New York State Senate and Assembly, on educational issues and policies, and presenting valuable information to parents at various community workshops on the “No Child Left Behind” Act passed by Congress, and the “Common Core Standards”. She is a voice for immigrants, airing their issues and concerns and has collaborated with the New York City Council, on the plight of the new immigrant as it relates to new immigration policies. Dr. Reed-Barnett hosted the Dr. Gail Reed-Barnett Show, titled “Education is Knowledge and Knowledge is Power” broadcasted over WYNE 91.5 MEC Radio station. In 2014, Dr. Reed-Barnett was elected Region 10 Governor for the New York State School Counselors Association. In, 2016, Dr. Reed-Barnett was elected President of New York State School Counselors Association. She served from 2016 to 2018. Presently Dr. Reed-Barnett is the Professional Development Chair for the New York School Counselor Association. Dr. Reed-Barnett was elected and served two terms (2002-2006), as the New York State Committeewoman/District Leader for the 58th Democratic Assembly District in Kings County, Brooklyn. She was also a delegate for the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Dr. Reed-Barnett has received many awards and accolades from various community and educational leaders for her work in the community and school, from Congressman Ed Towns, Brooklyn Borough Presidents Marty Markowitz, Assemblyman Nick Perry, New York State Senator Kevin Parker, New York City Council members, Dr. Kendall Stewart, David Yassky, and Yvette Clark, District 16 Superintendent Dr. Marcia Lyles, and UFT President Randi Weingarten, the Caribbean Images Martin Luther King Award, Key Women of America, Brooklyn Chapter, awarded the title Ms. Congeniality in the Miss/Mr. Medgar Evers College, (1989 MEC) contest and received the 2008 Medgar Evers College Alumni Legacy Award. Dr. Reed-Barnett is an author who wrote her first book with 7 authors titled Reflections: A Journey to Transformation – September 22, 2021. Dr. Reed-Barnet shares her experience, trials and tribulations through scripture writing on how she persevered and became the woman that she is today Dr. Reed-Barnett is dedicated and committed to her mission to empower each member of her community; parents, young adults, senior citizens, immigrants, with the knowledge needed to make wise, clear choices and decisions. She continues to work for and with the people of this great community to see this vision become a reality. Dr. Reed-Barnett is married to Winston A. Barnett (2000 MEC graduate), mother of one daughter, Tameka S. Harrison-Harris, (1998 MEC graduate) and “GG” to grandson Christian Alexander Essen Moran (MEC Sophomore student).