GR barber brings ‘mobile barbershop’ to GVSU campus
ALLENDALE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — A new partnership at Grand Valley State University is making haircuts more accessible for students.
Steven Harris is a 4th-year student at GVSU and knows how challenging finding the right barber can be.
“I’m actually from Illinois. So, coming here, it was like where do I go to get a haircut? Where do I go locally? Do I have to go to Grand Rapids? Do I have to go to Muskegon?” Harris said.
Jakia Marie, an assistant professor of Interdisciplinary Studies at GVSU, said through conversations with students and other campus leaders, she’s also seen how a lack of nearby barbers familiar with all kinds of hair textures can have an impact.
“A number of students did not attend the career fair because they did not have a haircut, because they didn’t have access to the haircut,” Marie said.
Now, a new resource is becoming part of the solution.
On Mondays and Tuesdays, Cecil “CJ” Jackson, a longtime barber and owner of The Executive Cut in Grand Rapids, brings a mobile barbershop to GVSU’s Allendale campus.
“This has been in my plan for years, it’s just one of those dreams you have,” Jackson said. “That was one of my intentions when I got the bus, was to come to the college because I know kids are coming from different cities, different states.”
Through a collaboration with several campus departments, students can sign up for a free haircut at the mobile shop.
In return, they’re encouraged to attend an event at GVSU’s Career Center, or engage with Office of Multicultural Affairs or African and African American Studies programming.
“Because we want students to get connected around campus. Sometimes people come, it’s such a big campus, it’s hard to know what’s here and what’s there,” Marie said.
Jackson now performs around 100 haircuts a month and says taking part in the initiative has been rewarding.
“It’s a blessing just to hear some of their stories, hear some of their passions, you know what I mean? Some of the career paths they’re taking,” Jackson said.
Campus leaders say the haircuts are paying off in more ways than one.
“I see (students) be more confident, I see them perform at a higher level, I just see students come in and I see the shine,” Marie said.
Marie said conversations are taking place to continue the initiative beyond this school year. She also hopes to have a salon on campus someday, serving short and longer hair.
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