A photographic exploration into Barbershops and Beauty Salons in Black and brown communities during the global pandemic.

Our hair holds rich history and carries legacies that date back generations. Before clippers and flat irons, we used our hands to weave patterns as a disguise for the roadmap that led to our freedom. Our mothers would pop us with a fine toothed comb as they told us to sit still while they weaved our strands of hair tightly onto our scalp. A tender head was the sacrifice we had to pay for self preservation. A tender head prepared us for the many other pains life would bring to people whose skin was too dark; so we would gather into shops and salons to share the stories of our struggles and victories of the week and how the times have change; all during the duration of a “wash and go’ or a “number two fade”.  Barbershops and Hair Salons serve as cornerstones for communication and connectivity in communities of color. They offer more than just a fresh cut.  Our hair care is a culture that is preserved through the craftsmanship of our barbers and stylist. Due to the stigmas and lack of resources around mental health treatment in the POC communities; barbershops and salons are where those who struggle with mental health and the everyday trials of life go for refuge. It is important that these stories are documented because, as the narrative continues to be written about the beginning of the 21st Century, it is imperative that this narrative about a piece of culture from a community of people who are often underrepresented is preserved. This project will document the new normal in these spaces consisting or candids and portraits. This project will also explore and help rewrite the narrative around the culture of black hair and mental health while also educating viewers on a piece of a culture that is often misunderstood.

 
 

“Barbershops and Beauty Salons serve as cornerstones for communication and connectivity in communities of color. They offer more than just a fresh cut. Our hair care is a culture that is preserved through the craftsmanship of our barbers and stylist.”

The stories

  • Mr.Vicks Family Styling

    Mr.Vicks Family styling is located 42 S Duke St. in South East Lancaster. 17602 and was founded in 1965 by Victor S.Thomas also known as “Mr.Vick” currently owned by his Grandson Jarrod Betts.

  • BLM Barber Studio

    BLM Hair Studio ( Barber Lives Matter) owned by Lacey “Ladybarberlivesmatter” Lattisaw is the first Black woman owned barbershop in Lancaster Pa.

  • James & Co. Beauty Salon

    James & Co Hair Salon owned by Faith Craig

  • Champs Barber School

    Champs Barber school was founded in 2003 by Champ Hall. The school provides industry modeled, student-centered training. During the shut down Champ was able to keep his school open.

Testimonials

 

“My hair is my megaphone. I tell the world how I feel and how I'm doing through my hair.”

— Jada, Franklin & Marshall Sophomore

 

“We talk about current events. You talk about what's going on around us. We talk about, everything here. It's just it's embedded in our culture. The barbershops and the salons. We can go there and we can be ourselves. We can talk among ourselves without judgment.”

— Lacey Lattishaw, Owner/Founder BLM ( Barber Lives Matter) Hair Studio

“..the physical relationship with the people in the shop..that was gone so there was a certain loneliness that came from that. More so when you realized that..you couldn't personally go there anymore.”

— Randolph Carnegie, Franklin & Marshall Alumni ‘74

 

“Before the pandemic, at least I had a support system at the hair salon…but then after the pandemic, it was like [figure] it out on your own.”

— Alba, Franklin & Marshal Sophomore

“Some people go to the barber shop just to have the conversation. You're not necessarily going to get a haircut you’re just there to talk ..so when you take that from people…for some that's all they have

— Dominique Morgan , Lancaster Pa.

Community Events

Throughout this project, I will host different community events in Lancaster County. To register follow the links below.

Shelby Wormley, Photojournalist and Co-Founder of WE&Company is the current Artist in Residence for Franklin and Marshall College’s Social Practice and Community Engagement Program. In collaboration with F&M’s Black Student Union and Patients R Waiting we are happy to bring to you The Shop: “Barbershop” Movie night and panel discussion. Join us as we watch this comedy-drama. . After the viewing we’ll discuss the movie and use it as a foundation to openly discuss how the shutdown of Beauty Salons and Barbershops during the global pandemic impacted the mental health of our own communities of color.
This movie showing will be the first part to a series of community events where our hope is to combat the societal norms and stereotypes associated with our hair while also educating the community. Barbershops and Beauty Salons became a community staple in the 19th century serving as the cornerstone and backbone to many communities of color. The opening of these shops provided not only an economic boost in African-American communities but a safe place for us to gather, commune and be vulnerable in a world we often felt unsafe in
Please keep in mind, the discussions that will take place will be recorded solely with the intent of being turned into an interactive photography exhibit at Franklin & Marshall where the viewers will be able to hear and see first hand experiences of the impact.

 
 
 

Join me at F&M to share your story have your portrait taken and story captured. During the testimonial I will give you three prompts to choose to answer along with capturing your portrait. This event and space is reserved for people of color and is in collaboration with Franklin & Marshall Black Student Union and Patients R Waiting. Patients -R- Waiting is a initiative dedicated to eliminated health disparities by increasing diversity in medicine. They will be present at this event to answer any questions about mental health resources and questions about the Covid-19 Vaccine.

 

The Shop: Barbershop Movie Screening and Panel Discussion

Friday, November 12, 2021 5:30pm-8:30pm

Winter Visual Arts Center

Film Room, Franklin & Marshall College. 400 College Ave Lancaster, PA 17603

Barbershop is a comedy about a day in the life of a barbershop on the south side of Chicago. Calvin who is played by Ice Cube, inherited the struggling business from his deceased father, and views the shop as nothing but a burden and waste of his time, until coming to realize how significant his barbershop was to the community

Barbershop is a comedy about a day in the life of a barbershop on the south side of Chicago. Calvin who is played by Ice Cube, inherited the struggling business from his deceased father, and views the shop as nothing but a burden and waste of his time, until coming to realize how significant his barbershop was to the community

The Shop: Community Testimonial

Sunday, November 21, 2021 1:00pm-3:00pm

Franklin & Marshall Winter Visual Arts Center Grand Forum

400 College Ave. Lancaster, PA 17603

 

The Shop Opening Exhibition

Friday, March 4, 2022

6:00pm - 8:30pm

Winter Visual Arts Center

400 College Ave Lancaster, PA 17603

Virtual Gallery to follow*

Mental Health Resources

Patients R Waiting is connecting Black and Latino Lancaster residents to FREE culturally competent mental health services. If you are are in need of mental health services, check out the link below for more information. PAW will pair you with an accredited mental health professional and cover the entire cost of at least 3 sessions with them.

The Shop Project Collaborations

Contact

theshopimpact@gmail.com

Lancaster Pa.