Jon E. Barfield ’74 Gave Back, Including to Princeton

As a product of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Jon E. Barfield ’74 had his sights set on attending Michigan State University until Robert S. Ketchum ’59 encouraged him to apply to Princeton. Despite his stellar grades and academic achievements, Barfield’s high school guidance counselor told him she thought he’d flunk out — likely because he was Black, Barfield once said while recounting the story. But he came to Princeton and excelled, becoming the first in his family to graduate from college and doing so with honors.

The summer after graduation, Barfield visited that counselor to show her his diploma. He wasn’t done with Princeton, though. Barfield went on to serve for more than a dozen years on the University’s Board of Trustees and has a space on campus named after him.

A highlight of Barfield’s time at Princeton was his creating of two bands in which he played tenor sax, Ebony Groove and Black Light, that performed at campus and eating club events. “We gave the Black community that was mushrooming at that time a focal point that the University did not really know how to offer,” says Evora Thomas ’74, who was a member of Ebony Groove. She says the groups became central to Black social life on campus.

This was especially important given the struggles Black students faced at Princeton in the 1970s. Many formed strong friendships that lasted, says friend Mel McCray ’74. “We found our strength and power in banding together,” he adds.

After Princeton, Barfield went on to earn a degree from Harvard Law School and practiced corporate and securities law at Sidley Austin LLP for a few years. In the 1980s, he answered the call when his father asked if he’d return to Michigan to help run the family staffing firm, the Bartech Group, where he rose to become chairman, president, and CEO over a 32-year career.

Barfield also made a point during this time to give back and serve the communities he cared about. “There were so many things that he did for people,” says friend Burton Smith ’77. “He spread as much joy as he could in so many places.”

He often did so behind the scenes, but in 2016, Barfield and his wife, Vivian Carpenter, led a fundraiser to save the Detroit Music Hall, which was facing financial crisis and in danger of closing. In just five weeks, with the help of a concert featuring Chaka Khan, they reached the needed $1.7 million to pay off some of the hall’s debt.

Barfield’s love for Princeton was deep and he shared it with his two children, Elaine and Jon. He gave back to the University both financially and through service as a charter trustee. In 2009, he received the Association of Black Princeton Alumni’s Distinguished Alumni Award, and in 2014, he was recognized for his financial contributions to the University with the naming of the Barfield-Johnson seminar room in Stanhope Hall, which was home to the Center for African American Studies at the time.

“I have so many fond memories of my dad and me at Princeton, starting with attending his reunions with my family when my brother and I were young children,” says Elaine Barfield ’04. “Graduating 30 years apart meant that we shared several major reunions on campus together, which was very special. I will always cherish these times and the Princeton pride that we shared.”

In retirement, Barfield played golf and was able to revive his love of music by creating a new band. He returned to the stage, often performing on cruise ships, blending his love for music and world travel.

Barfield’s passion for life was tested in 2019 when he was diagnosed with ALS. As he lost muscle function, Barfield began to use a wheelchair to get around but didn’t let that stop him from living life to the fullest. Thanks in large part to the support of his caregivers, he continued to travel to see family and friends and even attended his 50th reunion in 2024. “I’ve got to say that I’ve never seen anyone shoulder that burden with such grace and resolve and a positive attitude,” says McCray.

Barfield spoke about his life in 2023 as part of a video series produced by McCray. “I don’t feel I’ve missed out on anything,” he said. “I think I’ve had a very blessed life. I’ve been blessed with children, great mates, partners, and I feel very fortunate to achieve that kind of balance and success in relationships.”

Carlett Spike is PAW’s associate editor.