At the Fuller Cut barbershop in Ypsilanti, Michigan, the barbers encourage their child customers to do two things while sitting in their chair: pick out a book and read aloud.
Barber Ryan Griffin brought the idea of a literacy program to the Fuller Cut barbershop after becoming inspired by a similar program in Harlem, New York that he read about. As people have donated books to the barbershop since the program started, children have gotten the opportunity to practice their reading skills all while getting their favorite haircut. Parents even receive two dollars off the haircut if their children participate.
“Any help these kids can get with reading and … comprehension is a big thing. You know, maybe someday some kid will grow up and be a journalist, be a writer, and he’ll say, ‘You know what, when I was young, my barber used to make me read.'”- Ryan Griffin.
Love it! We salute barbershops like the Fuller Cut, who are using their space and time to help support and nurture the next generation of leaders.
Pictured: Joziah and Jozef reading to their barbers, while getting a haircut. We also spot one of the barbers wearing our Because of Them We Can t-shirt too.