There are few relationships as intimate as the one between barber and client. With COVID-19, unfortunately, the umbilical cord has been cut from the crucial relationship. Many industries have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak but no more so than the black barbershop.
By now you’ve seen the memes.
People looking disheveled during coronavirus quarantine due to closed barbershops, nail salons, and more. However, beneath the jokes about our collective lack of a consistent personal image there is real pain.
An industry that survives on close personal contact, appointments, and tips has been virtually toppled by an invisible threat.
It is why celebrity barber and master groomer, Marvin “Marv The Barb” Church created, The Barber Relief Fund. The charitable giving project is aimed at providing assistance to hair industry professionals adversely affected by COVID-19.
The Washington, D.C. based barber maintains the coifs of Meet The Press’ Chuck Todd, best-selling author Michael Eric Dyson, NBA players, and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) to name a few.
“The grooming industry from barbering and hairstylists to nail techs and more are all suffering due to this unexpected pandemic,” said Church. “It is now that we need to stand strong together as one community that takes care of itself.”
The personal grooming business has taken a huge financial hit. Unfortunately, person-to-person service based businesses are directly in the crosshairs. However, it is during this trying time that Church believes this much-needed community of professional artists need to stand together.
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“We are the ones that make sure the world is at its best daily. It is now that we need the world to help us remain at our best. Please donate to a barber in need today.”
The barbershop is a place you come to unwind and build self-esteem. Part hair tech and part therapist, now many in the barber industry feel abandoned during a time when their service is perceived clinically as a liability.
However, The Barber Relief Fund will provide loans to qualifying barbers that have proven how the COVID-19 outbreak has negatively affected their business. All loans granted are free of repayment and will be used to assist the barber professional during this time of work cessation.
This industry lacks full-scale lobbying in Congress to assist nationwide during these times of crisis. Church felt that someone had to take a stand and create a fund to relieve barbers affected by this pandemic.
“The barbershop is a staple in the community for the leadership within. As one of my clients, Congressman John Lewis said of the civil rights movement, ‘the barbershop was the place to provide the information to ease and comfort the community it serviced. Please help us keep the stewards of this community staple alive.”
