Honoring a Legacy Through Opportunity

I want to take a moment to share a story that’s very close to my heart, a story about the journey that led me here today, standing before you with a dream to make a difference.

 

When I was young, my grandmother bought me my first pair of Wahl clippers. I’ll never forget that moment. You see, just before the first day of school, I went to a barber, and let's just say the haircut wasn’t quite what I had in mind. But instead of letting me feel down about it, my grandmother looked at me and said, ‘You teach yourself.’ And so, with her encouragement, I did just that. I taught myself how to cut hair.

 

It wasn’t just the skill of barbering that my grandmother gave me. She instilled in me a belief in the value of hard work and self-reliance. She showed me that when you put in the effort, when you’re dedicated to learning and growing, you can achieve anything. It’s because of her that I stand before you, proud of what I’ve accomplished and ready to give back to the community that shaped me.

 

Today, I’m excited to announce the opening of my very own barber school. This school isn’t just about teaching the techniques of cutting hair—though, of course, that’s a big part of it. It’s about providing young adults with the tools they need to build a future, to develop a skill they can be proud of, and to give them the confidence that comes with mastering a craft.

 

I know how much it meant to me to have someone believe in me and give me the opportunity to learn. That’s what I want to offer to others. I want this school to be a place where young people can come to not only learn the art of barbering but also to discover the value of hard work, perseverance, and self-belief.

 

My grandmother’s words have always stayed with me: 'Hard work pays off.' It’s a simple truth, but it’s a powerful one. And I want to pass that truth on to the next generation, to help them see that with the right mindset and the willingness to put in the effort, they can achieve their dreams.