Barber Connect Addresses Men’s Health and Celebrates Barbershop Talk Program
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Barbershop Talk research team recently hosted its first-ever Barber Connect.
The Oct. 27 showcase took place at Little Rock’s Mosaic Templars Cultural Center.
It gave barbers who participate in the Barbershop Talk program the chance to network, learn more about men’s health, receive health-related resources, plan the next phase of Barbershop Talk and also celebrate the project.
The study, which encourages men to avoid heavy alcohol consumption, launched in August 2023 and is currently in 45 Arkansas barbershops spanning 14 counties.
Tamier Wells, MPH, Barbershop Talk research assistant, said the celebratory vibe of Barber Connect showed her another realm of the study’s impact.
“I was so happy seeing how much everyone enjoyed themselves,” Wells said.
“As a team, it inspires us knowing that the info we’re giving people, the work we’re doing throughout Arkansas is changing lives,” she said. “Men are pillars in our communities. When men are healthy, we’ll have healthier communities.”
Darren McFaden was among the individuals promoting men’s health during the daylong event.
McFadden — a former National Football League running back who was twice a finalist for the Heisman Trophy while attending the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville — spoke about his path to overcoming alcohol abuse.
“Quitting alcohol is something I’m more proud of than anything I’ve accomplished playing football,” McFadden said during a Q&A with Tiffany Haynes, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Public Health.
McFadden, who said he first began drinking at 15 years old, also noted that he’s been sober for over two years. He credits lived experiences, maturation, a desire to be a great family man, and a support group comprised of people from various backgrounds as the keys to his sobriety.
“I feel good,” McFadden said with a big smile. “I got my numbers checked out during a health screening before the start of this session, right over there at the Arkansas Minority Health Commission booth, and they all looked good.”
In addition to McFadden, attendees at the morning session of Barber Connect also heard panel discussions on topics such as mental health and financial literacy. Also, numerous health organizations had information booths for the barbers to visit.
During the evening portion of Barber Connect, a short film about Barbershop Talk premiered. The production featured interviews of participating barbers, some of their clients and the Barbershop Talk team.
“I had not seen the film until right now when you all saw it,” Haynes told the crowd. “My mind is blown at the amount of work and how many people we’ve touched, and the nice things that the people, and the barbers who work with us, said about Barbershop Talk.
“When we first launched this program, we weren’t sure how we were going to make it work. To see Barbershop Talk reach this point is truly humbling.”
Gary Ellison owns Skillz Barbershop in Little Rock. He was among the barbers who helped plan the initial outreach process of Barbershop Talk. Fittingly, his shop was one of the first to adopt the project. He admires how the study is built on relationships and info that tells men why and how to avoid heavy alcohol consumption.
“People will trust their barber because we’ve been servicing them for years,” Ellison said. “If someone comes through our doors and we approve of them, they’ll get access to the clients. We as barbers are the gatekeepers of the shop. We can make it possible for people, like the Barbershop Talk staff, to connect with and educate our clients.”
“With Barber Connect the organizers did a great job reiterating important things we’ve already learned and reminding us why the info offered through Barbershop Talk is so important,” he added. “I also enjoyed hearing all the different panelists.”
Carlin Brown is owner of Picture Perfect Barbershop, located in Conway. Brown also mentors several youth who attend Conway Junior High, so, he sees the need for uplifting initiatives in Arkansas. He was quick to bring the Barbershop Talk project into his shop.
“Barbershop Talk promotes men’s health, that’s something that we definitely need to improve,” Brown said. “We have a lot of foot traffic at our shop. When the men come in, we give them the information, and they take it back to their homes, back to their communities. Suddenly this important health information is being spread around.”
As for Barber Connect, it was time well spent, he added.
“It was like multiple events, multiple meetings merged into one, and I enjoyed it,” Brown said. “The event had great information. The people were amazing, and it had great vibes.”
Camille Hart, Barbershop Talk program director, greets attendees of the inaugural Barber Connect showcase. Meanwhile, Marvin Cawthon, owner of 5 Star Cutz, has a good time taking a photo during Hart’s speech.
Marvin Cawthon owns 5 Star Cutz, which has locations in Little Rock, Pine Bluff and Sherwood.
Cawthon admitted that initially, he was skeptical about allowing a research program to be conducted at his shops. But once he recognized the benefits of the study and that the team members were personable and serious about addressing alcohol abuse and men’s health in Arkansas, Cawthon put the project in each of his shops.
“I’m a big supporter of Barbershop Talk,” he said. “I love the program. It’s laid back. It’s not a program with folks in suits and ties and being all stiff. It’s a program that people can relate to.
“In addition to the great information, the research focuses on men’s health with the intent of making us better and improving the quality of life for society.”
In relation to promoting improved life for men and their families, Cawthon was a panelist on Barber Connect’s financial information platform. He took delight in providing his financial expertise.
“I appreciated how the event catered to barbers,” he said. “It was about barbers, for barbers brought directly to barbers.
“I enjoyed Barber Connect. Even if they just do the exact same things for next year’s Barber Connect, I’ll come back.”