NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — In the Napier neighborhood, there’s a pop-up barbershop in an unlikely location.
Almost every Thursday, you can expect Derrone Brown to be at the Pruitt branch of the Nashville Public Library, but for him, it’s not all about the books.
“I needed a haircut,” Brown said. “I’ve got to see the ladies and I’m going on a date.”
It’s part of Brown’s weekly routine to take advantage of the free community haircuts provided at the Pruitt branch by students at the Legacy Master Barber Academy.
“Everybody needs it,” Brown said. “Most people don’t have assistance or money, so this is a good thing to have.”
Shandi Demumbreum, Pruitt’s librarian associate, created the complimentary program two years ago in hopes of making hair care accessible to all.
“We have regulars that come in every single week,” Demumbreum said. “The guys come in, get their shaves on, get their hair looking fresh. The moms, they’ll bring many, many kids, and that’s a lifesaver for a lot of them.”
Wakius Hereford, co-owner of Legacy Master Barber Academy, said it’s a perfect way for his students to brush up on their skills.
“I want them to feel what the clippers do, and I want them to see what difference they can make in somebody else’s life,” Hereford said.
Student barber James Pedigo explained that it’s more than just cutting hair.
“You’re not just a barber, but you’re a stylist, a friend, a counselor, a mentor,” Pedigo said. “For that 30-40 minutes you’re cutting somebody’s hair, they get to forget their problems, what they’re doing, and it cheers them up and makes them feel better. Not only that, it just helps you feel good knowing that they leave there with a good service rendered.”
Brown said he loves going in for a trim because he always comes out feeling like the ‘Mane’ attraction.
“I just feel different, because I know I look different,” Brown said.
Hereford told News 2 that he looks forward to continuing this program for many years to come.
“Seeing somebody’s face when they come in and then they leave, and they’re sitting straight, they’re happy, and they’re smiling, I love that part of it, and the students love it too,” Hereford said. “That’s why they act the way they act. That’s why they do what they do.”
The haircut program at the library takes place at the Pruitt branch (117 Charles E Davis Blvd.) every Thursday at varying times. Some weeks, they add a later time slot to accommodate students who are just getting out of school.
To learn more, you can find the Pruitt branch of the Nashville Public Library on Facebook or over on their website.
