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By Elizabeth Tosanwunmi·Published March 5, 2024
Regarding black history, barbershops have always been part of the culture. Believed to have started in the 19th century, the backstory of how black barbers operated in the country is not filled with roses. Black barbers have come a long way: from being treated inhumanely to only being allowed to service the white man to finally being able to provide their services to fellow black brothers and sisters many years after the abolishment of slavery. For black barbershops, it’s more than just a haircut; they are a community for the culture, our community.
With that in mind, we have compiled a list of black-owned barbershops—both male and female-owned—that you can visit for your next haircut.
1. STEP THE BARBER
IMAGE SOURCE: @STEPTHEBARBER
Step The Barber is a barbershop located in Atlanta, Georgia. The owner, Stephan, has been in the barbering industry since 2007 and provides services for both men and women. Step The Barber specializes in women’s cuts, straight razor shaves, fades, and silver hair color, to mention a few.
2. MOE BETTER CUTS
IMAGE SOURCE: @MOE_BETTER_CUTS
This barbershop is located in the heart of Katy, Texas. Moe Better Cuts caters to men and women and their services include haircuts, straight razor shaves, and beard grooming. They also boast about providing top-notch services in a contemporary setting.
3. FRESHLY FADED BARBER + SHOP
IMAGE SOURCE: @FRESHLYFADEDBARBER
Derrick Banks owns the Freshly Faded Barber + Shop in San Diego, California. The shop offers modern haircuts, such as fades, pompadours, undercuts, man buns, and tapers. It also offers facial hair treatments, such as beard trims, hot towel shaves, mustache trims, and more.
According to Banks, “I wanted to accurately display the diversity of African-American culture and provide a positive representation of that same culture on a platform that is approachable and welcoming. The goal has always been to change the community one haircut at a time.”
4. WHO DAT BARBERSHOP
IMAGE SOURCE: @WHODATBARBERSHOP
WHO DAT BarberShop was founded and is owned by a female nurse, Ms. Kischia. This barbershop, established in September 2009, is located in New Orleans, Louisiana and one of its aims was to help to revitalize the New Orleans East community post-Hurricane Katrina. The barbershop provides haircuts, dreads/locs, braids/twists, hair restoration, facial care, beard grooming, and style-enhancing services to the community. So far, WHO DAT BarberShop has catered to over 5,000 men, women, and children in the Gulf Coast region.
5. HAIR IT IS BARBERSHOP
IMAGE SOURCE: @HAIRITISBARBERSHOP
Hair It Is Barbershop is a family-owned business situated in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1995 by Neil Decoteau, the barbershop’s goals are to serve as a home for hair care that allows customers to look and feel good and a community hub where customers build stronger relationships with staff. Their services encompass shaves and beard trim, haircuts, shape-ups, designs, braids, and loc maintenance, among others.
6. FADES OF GRAY
IMAGE SOURCE: @FADESOFGRAY
Fades of Gray is another barbershop that has existed since 1999 and is owned by Julian Gray. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the barbershop boasts a place where clients can get quality fade, cut, shave, trim, or hair design. Fades of Gray is not only a barbershop that collects money for services, they are also involved in giving back to the community through civic engagement and collaboration with education, law, non-profit, media and sports organizations.
7. HAIR SCIENCE
IMAGE SOURCE: @HAIRSCIENCEAK
Shawn Idom founded Hair Science, a barber shop and barber school, in 2008. The shop specializes in different haircuts in Alaska, including fades, mullets, and hair designs. It also manufactures and sells its own organic hair products.
8. ADRIAN FANUS
IMAGE SOURCE: @AFGINC
Adrian Fanus Grooming was established in 2009 and is located in New York. This barbershop offers haircuts, beard trims, and hair designs, among other services. It is open to adults and children.
9. LADY CLIPPERS BARBERSHOP
IMAGE SOURCE: @LADYCLIPPER
As its name suggests, Lady Clippers is an all-woman barbershop; this means that all its barbers staff are women. Owned by a black woman, Leslie Bryant, the shop is located in Washington DC. Their services include fades, loc maintenance, mullets, cornrow braids and flat twists.
10. KENNY MAC BARBERSHOP
IMAGE SOURCE: @KENNYMACSBARBERSHOP
Named after its owner, Kenny Mac Barbershop is situated in Chicago and has been in operation since 2011. Their barbering services include fades, tapers, mo-hawks, razor shaving, undercuts, ladies’ short haircuts, caesars, pompadours, combovers, razor lining, and graphic design on any texture of hair. Furthermore, they provide services like silk press, loc maintenance, and mobile barber service.
11. REAL WILD KUTZ BARBERSHOP
IMAGE SOURCE: @REALWILDKUTZ_BARBERSHOP
Real Wild Kutz Barbershop is owned by Master Barber and Cosmetologist Ronny and is located in Maryland. The barbershop provides straight razor shaving, hair styling services, beard care, and eyebrow grooming to men and women.
12. SHEARS AND SHAVES
IMAGE SOURCE: @SHEARSANDSHAVES
Shears and Shaves is located in Detroit, Michigan and owned by Dawn Sanford, a Master Barber and Groomer with over 25 years of experience. The barbershop’s services include beard, mustache and goatee trim, hairline clean up, scalp treatment and sponge cut, among others.
Which of these barbershops will you visit soon?
