San Diego City College opens Fresh Cutz, offers free haircuts, support services

Story by Keila Menjivar Zamora. Video produced by Tresean Osgood.
Despite getting a new haircut at Fresh Cutz on April 23, 22-year-old Darius Manney’s bank account remained unchanged.
The second-year business administration student was among the first to receive a free haircut at the grand opening of Fresh Cutz, San Diego City College’s new, free barbershop designed to serve students.
The initiative, spearheaded by President Ricky Shabazz, Vice President Marciano Perez and Director of Administrative Services Roxann Solis, aims to support male students to enroll and complete academic programs at City College.
“Most of us that are first generation, do you really want to go to the administration building?” Shabazz said. “There’s an intimidation factor.”
“When you come here, your guard is down. The barbershop is a safe zone,” Shabazz said.
For Manney, having access to a free haircut is everything. He moved to San Diego two years ago, leaving his family and friends in his hometown, Chicago.
“I live by myself,” Manney said. “I don’t have my family or anything here, so it’s nice to get a free haircut. I can spend that money on groceries.”
To read the rest of the story, visit sdcitytimes.com and search for "barbershop."
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