By Avery Martin
For young men of color, particularly young Black men, the barbershop can be a place where sensitive issues are discussed.

That is something Southern Connecticut State University’s Owl Flight to Excellence program Assistant Director Bernard Macklin knows well. The barbershop, he says, represents far more than a simple haircut.
“It gives you a sense of peace, where you can go into a place, get your hair cut, look good, as well as have very comical conversations, very political conversations, very religious conversations. I mean, we have them all in a barbershop,” said Macklin.
View the full story at the following publications:
This story is supported by a grant from the Solutions Journalism Network. CT Community News is proud be to a member of the Solutions Journalism Network Student Media Challenge cohort for 2025-26.