A DGA member since 1992, Barclay was the first African-American and the first openly gay President in the Guild’s history – a position previously held by directors such as Frank Capra, Robert Wise, George Stevens, and King Vidor. In addition to his two terms as President of the Guild, his service includes over 30 years of service on the National Board and Western Directors Council and chairmanship and participation in several committees, including co-chairing the Television Creative Rights Committee and the Return to Work Negotiations Committee. He was honored with the Robert B. Aldrich Achievement Award in 2007, which is given for providing extraordinary service to the DGA, and in spring 2021, he was named an Honorary Life Member of the DGA, one of the Guild’s highest honors, recognizing his career achievements and leadership in the industry.
 
He currently serves as the Guild’s Secretary/Treasurer, and has been tapped to again lead the Creative Rights Committee for the upcoming 2026 negotiations with producers.
 
In addition to his service to the DGA, Paris has been recognized for his service and contributions to many political, social and charitable organizations, including Liberty Hill, GLAAD, Aviva Family and Children’s Services, and Project Angel Food. For the Human Rights Campaign, he created with Dustin Lance Black an award-winning series of PSAs promoting the Equality Act then before Congress, featuring Jamie Lee Curtis, Sally Field, Marcia Gay Harden, and Nyle DiMarco among others.
 
He developed and teaches the DGA’s First Time Director Orientation, and leads Netflix’s Original Series Director Development Program. He has lectured on directing and creating for television at UCLA, USC, Harvard (College, Medical and Divinity Schools), Arizona State University, Columbia College; and given master classes on directing in London and Australia.
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Paris has said: “What’s the point of any success if you don’t give back?”