A Cut Above the Unrest

Gary Winfield is a young business owner in Ferguson, Missouri. He opened his barber shop, G-Ravae’z the year after Ferguson became a flashpoint for social unrest following the police killing of Michael Brown in 2014. Today Winfield made good on a goal he set some years ago by giving free haircuts to students in the Ferguson/Florissant school district.

“I was once one of those kids,” he says. “And, I always wanted to give back to the community that I was raised in.”

A team of barbers joined Winfield to give free haircuts for 12 hours. Beyond the buzz of the razor at G-Revae’z, the city of Ferguson and its residents are aware of the world’s recognition of what happened in this St. Louis suburb on August 9, 2014 and the upcoming two-year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death. In the shadow of the tragic events that summer, more African Americans have run for elected office, opened new businesses, and focused on reaching the youth.

Winfield approached The Boys & Girls Clubs with his idea for the free haircuts, and the 50-year-old organization founded on helping youth gladly accepted.

“We can bring kids together with their peers, teach them how to interact positively, help them establish good character, learning right from wrong and prepare them for adulthood – which in the long term creates more engaged citizens,” says Dr. Flint Fowler, President, Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Louis.

G-Ravae’z recruited 15 barbers from around the area for the free haircut event. They expected nearly 300 boys and teenagers to stop by the shop for a back-to-school haircut. They were members of the Boys & Girls of Ferguson and students at Ferguson Middle School.

Dr. Fowler points out that “events like the backpack giveaway and free haircuts for boys reminds the community and families that we are concerned about their well-being, quality of education, safety, and interests.

As for Winfield, he says he is “pleased” with the turnout and is already planning to expand the free haircuts day.