Teaching inner city youth the craft of barbering

Wilmington, Delaware -- The Junior Barber Academy is an 8-week program where youth throughout the community come to learn barbering skills. Not only do they learn the ins and outs of cutting hair, but they also pick up the business side of things. The goal is to give these kids a meaningful skill. They will learn how to take hair cutting into their future in hopes that they can possibly open a business or make it a side hustle. Founder and operator, P. Michael Boone also says that they learn soft skills such as communication and time management. On this day, the academy made a stop at STUBBS Early Education Center to cut the hair of some pretty tough clients. The preschool do not like to sit still during the cuts and sometimes are hesitant because of all the noise. Boone and his academy have a great way of putting the kids at ease. They allow them to use the tools and get comfortable with them. Another important aspect of the haircuts is that they are all free. After all is said and done, the children walk away feeling like their best selves, ready to take on the day with a fresh cut.

The program has successfully taught thousands of students to cut hair and even open their own businesses.

There is also a branch of the program that operates in Johannesburg, South Africa.