[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]In more and more barbershops and salons, barbers and stylists are doing more than giving customers fresh fades and shape-ups. They are doing good in their communities by helping to increase literacy rates among children of color, raise awareness about social causes and teaming up with medical providers to offer clients screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol and HIV.
This movement of barbers becoming civil and health activists is on the rise. In Philadelphia, barbers have been spreading a nonpartisan message about voting and polling locations among black men to improve voter turnout in city elections, while in Los Angeles, a doctor received grant money to train barbers to screen customers for hypertension, which can be fatal or lead to other health problems. In Melbourne, Australia, a barber, who calls himself “the streets barber,” gives free haircuts to homeless people and posts photos and stories about them on his Instagram feed.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][vc_column_text]
NEW YORK/IOWA: HELPING YOUNG CUSTOMERS IMPROVE THEIR READING SKILLS
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4786″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Barbershops in Harlem and Brooklyn, including Denny Moe’s Superstar Barbershop, Levels Barbershop and Fig’s Barber Shop, are getting kids to read. The idea for Barbershop Books was started by former first grade teacher Alvin Irbyas he sat in his barber’s chair near P.S. 69, the Bronx school where he once taught.
While he’s not a barber, Irby, 30, said he knows the importance of barbershops in communities for disseminating information. He started his pilot program with a mission to close the reading achievement gap for black boys. Irby said he plans to expand the program in New York and perhaps to Detroit.
“I work hard to try to identify books that will get kids to get up and walk over to the space,” he said. “If children can read by the end of third grade proficiently, then they have a significantly lower chance of dropping out of high school.”[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4785″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]He’s not alone in wanting children to have better reading skills. Courtney Holmes, a 45-year-old barber at Spark Family Hair Salon in Dubuque, Iowa, started a program in August: he cuts children’s hair for free while they read to him.
“I go in-depth with it so they understand what they learn,” Holmes said. “Then the kids get to take the book home, and when they come back, they can exchange it for another book.”
After initial success and media attention, he said Spark salon now offers the haircut-reading exchange monthly and he wants to take the program nationally. He’s working with Little Free Library, which puts wooden boxes of books in communities for people to borrow and exchange books.
“I did it out of the kindness of my heart,” said Holmes, a father of three. “We know low-income kids of color are lacking in this area.”[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][vc_column_text]
TEXAS: COMING TOGETHER IN DALLAS TO OFFER FREE HIV TESTING
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4787″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]To help deal with the surge of HIV infection rates in recent years, barber Gerard Claiborne said there are at least 18 barbershops and salons in Dallas working together to educate the community about the disease. They regularly offer free onsite testing with support from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and provide condoms.
“Everybody needs to know about this,” said Claiborne, a barber and manager at Kingz of Cutz. “It’s a big problem. It doesn’t matter what you do in your bedroom, it’s about being safe doing whatever you do in your bedroom.”
He said communities of color in Dallas aren’t educated enough about safer sex practices. Recent HIV statistics for Dallas County show the disease has taken a toll on people of color. Claiborne said the Fade Out HIV program has received high marks from the community since starting a year ago.
“People would rather get tested here then go to a clinic,” Claiborne said, adding those involved in the program want to do more outreach in areas with high rates of HIV infection and introduce the program in Fort Worth and surrounding areas…Read more at bevelcode.com[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][vc_column_text]Words by Marques Harper[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
Barbers Doing Good At Home
Share this:
[vc_row full_width=”” parallax=”” parallax_image=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]In more and more barbershops and salons, barbers and stylists are doing more than giving customers fresh fades and shape-ups. They are doing good in their communities by helping to increase literacy rates among children of color, raise awareness about social causes and teaming up with medical providers to offer clients screenings for high blood pressure, cholesterol and HIV.
This movement of barbers becoming civil and health activists is on the rise. In Philadelphia, barbers have been spreading a nonpartisan message about voting and polling locations among black men to improve voter turnout in city elections, while in Los Angeles, a doctor received grant money to train barbers to screen customers for hypertension, which can be fatal or lead to other health problems. In Melbourne, Australia, a barber, who calls himself “the streets barber,” gives free haircuts to homeless people and posts photos and stories about them on his Instagram feed.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][vc_column_text]
NEW YORK/IOWA: HELPING YOUNG CUSTOMERS IMPROVE THEIR READING SKILLS
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4786″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]Barbershops in Harlem and Brooklyn, including Denny Moe’s Superstar Barbershop, Levels Barbershop and Fig’s Barber Shop, are getting kids to read. The idea for Barbershop Books was started by former first grade teacher Alvin Irbyas he sat in his barber’s chair near P.S. 69, the Bronx school where he once taught.
While he’s not a barber, Irby, 30, said he knows the importance of barbershops in communities for disseminating information. He started his pilot program with a mission to close the reading achievement gap for black boys. Irby said he plans to expand the program in New York and perhaps to Detroit.
“I work hard to try to identify books that will get kids to get up and walk over to the space,” he said. “If children can read by the end of third grade proficiently, then they have a significantly lower chance of dropping out of high school.”[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4785″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]He’s not alone in wanting children to have better reading skills. Courtney Holmes, a 45-year-old barber at Spark Family Hair Salon in Dubuque, Iowa, started a program in August: he cuts children’s hair for free while they read to him.
“I go in-depth with it so they understand what they learn,” Holmes said. “Then the kids get to take the book home, and when they come back, they can exchange it for another book.”
After initial success and media attention, he said Spark salon now offers the haircut-reading exchange monthly and he wants to take the program nationally. He’s working with Little Free Library, which puts wooden boxes of books in communities for people to borrow and exchange books.
“I did it out of the kindness of my heart,” said Holmes, a father of three. “We know low-income kids of color are lacking in this area.”[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][vc_column_text]
TEXAS: COMING TOGETHER IN DALLAS TO OFFER FREE HIV TESTING
[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”4787″ border_color=”grey” img_link_large=”” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_column_text]To help deal with the surge of HIV infection rates in recent years, barber Gerard Claiborne said there are at least 18 barbershops and salons in Dallas working together to educate the community about the disease. They regularly offer free onsite testing with support from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and provide condoms.
“Everybody needs to know about this,” said Claiborne, a barber and manager at Kingz of Cutz. “It’s a big problem. It doesn’t matter what you do in your bedroom, it’s about being safe doing whatever you do in your bedroom.”
He said communities of color in Dallas aren’t educated enough about safer sex practices. Recent HIV statistics for Dallas County show the disease has taken a toll on people of color. Claiborne said the Fade Out HIV program has received high marks from the community since starting a year ago.
“People would rather get tested here then go to a clinic,” Claiborne said, adding those involved in the program want to do more outreach in areas with high rates of HIV infection and introduce the program in Fort Worth and surrounding areas…Read more at bevelcode.com[/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”grey” align=”align_center” style=”” border_width=”” el_width=””][vc_column_text]Words by Marques Harper[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]