First Appreciation Day

 Platinum Boyz Barbershop is organizing a client’s appreciation day on June 9^th. The shop is going to offer free haircuts for kids and $ 5.00 for adults. They will open the doors with special ornament and play family-friendly music on that Saturday. They want the place look radiant and attractive for the occasion. 

Surprisingly, the idea of having an appreciation day did not come from the owner or manager. Sean Davis, a barber who has been working in the shop for a year and a half, is the motor engine of the initiative. “This is something we can do in return to the community,” Sean Davis said. 

Sean Davis believes being a barber is not only about making a living and charging money for labor. He is convinced barbershops play an important role in black communities. Barbershops have a unifying and ratifying role. They are the places where black males can freely enact their identities without the fear of being judged or misunderstood. “This is where everything happens,” said Sean Davis. 

Men of all ages gather in the shop to receive services, listen to music, make jokes, have political discussions, or simply watch some TV. The appreciation day will be another reason to stick around the barbershop at the time many families that have multiple children will benefit from the event. It will definitely strengthen the link between the Morningside community and Platinum Boyz Barbershop, the staff believes. 

Word-of-mouth is the main advertising for the event although a sign will be displayed as the day approaches. Throughout the entire month of May, barbers will inform every client about the event. “There is a good chance most of our clients receive the information because most of them come for a service once or twice a month,” Hanes Wousess, who is the manager, said. “Hopefully, other people are going to hear from our clients.”

They are expecting to be fully packed and serve as many clients as possible, especially kids. The staff thinks they might beat a number around 100 clients. There will be no shifts on that day. All barbers are on duty on June 9^th. “The boys are excited because this is the first time Platinum Boyz does this since it opened in 2009,” Sean Davis said. 

Platinum Boyz Barbershop hosted the Thanksgiving Day last year. They offered a free turkey to every client or family. The barbers assure that event was a success; but, what they are preparing for June has a totally different dimension. Giving turkeys in Thanksgiving is a tradition and is somehow predictable. “For the appreciation day, there is no other reason than giving back to the community,” said Sean Davis. 

The appreciation day will also bring more clientele as it calls the attention of more people in the community, Hanes Wousess expects. They want to do it every Summer as school is over. It is a win-win situation. The clients save money and the shop gets more recognition in the community. 

“I feel part of the community even though I’m not Haitian,” said Sean Davis.