Civic Engagement. Health Equity. Family Dynamics. These topics and more were discussed by a multigenerational crowd at this year’s “Barbershop Talk” event sponsored by the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement at Queens University of Charlotte. Dabreon Davis ’23, president of the Black Student Union, welcomed attendees to the event and encouraged a foundation of respect to embrace vulnerability during the evening’s discussion. Students were invited to receive a free haircut from local barbers while engaging in thoughtful discourse about pressing topics.

“Barbershops have always been a place of refuge for Black males in the community,” said Darryl White Sr., assistant dean of diversity, inclusion and community engagement at Queens. “This Black History Month event brings that familiar environment to our campus and gives students a chance to open up and talk about everything.”

The multigenerational crowd included Queens President Dan Lugo along with several local Black community and business professionals such as Shaun Ward, D.M., of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and Doug Harris, CEO of Kaleidoscope Group. Questions like “how do you protect your peace in a polarized nation?” stirred up insightful conversations between students, alumni, and community members in attendance. Davis expressed the impact these kinds of events have on himself and his fellow students.

“It takes a special environment to foster such inclusive and intensive conversations,” Davis explained. “Growing up with my dad and cousins, I have seen how special the barbershop environment can be in the Black community. College students can take wisdom away from this event that they will carry into their future personal and professional lives.”

Participants walked away with not only a fresh haircut, but new connections and diverse perspectives covering a wide variety of topics.