Lewis co-authored a Harvard research study that confirmed the valuable role of Black barbers in empowering and healing community members. Thirty-five barbers were reviewed in the study over an eight-month period. He said a key finding in the study signified the idea of a community-based public health approach to traumatic injury and death prevention.

“What was really confirmed was that [barbers] not only play a role when it comes to mental health but also even interpersonal community violence, as well as domestic violence,” Lewis told Blavity. “And, so that finding of knowing that they not only could be suicide prevention and mental health gatekeepers but they also can help reduce interpersonal community violence, that largely helps to reduce public safety issues within the community which will help better our public health and our health systems and community systems as well. That was what was really outstanding to me.”

Barbers are essential members of the Black community, but aside from that, the idea of targeting barbers and barbershops specifically to provide them with mental health advocacy training was related to the level of physical trust most men have in them.

“Barbers share intimate space with Black men,” Lewis said. “A sharp razor blade or an electric object, clippers close to their face and that’s probably the only time I would think a lot of men would have their guard down and not feel as defensive or feel apprehensive about something. We have to take advantage of that intimate personal space to talk about mental health and wellbeing.”

Barbershops are a microcosm of many communities in one. Given Black men’s general commitment to their barbers, one may have left their old community but still find themselves back in their old stomping grounds for a time-honored haircut. And, so it’s one of the rare places where people who might not normally share space can commune.

“I don’t know if there is anywhere in Black America where you really can find that amount of life experiences in one place in an uncontrolled environment,” Lewis said. “No matter class or where people really are in life, they will at some point visit their barber in a community setting where they might not naturally go depending on their journey in life. I don’t know if there’s another hub in Black America that can actually do that.”

Black boys and men

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