Key Takeaways: The story of the black barbershop is one of resilience, opportunity, and influence. These spaces provided rare economic pathways for Black entrepreneurs, evolved into cultural and political gathering places, supported civil rights dialogue, and continue today as trusted hubs for mentorship, health outreach, and community connection. Understanding the history of the black barbershop means recognizing its lasting impact on business, culture, and social progress in America.
UPDATED: January 26, 2026
Black barbershops have had a profound impact on the barbering industry and even U.S. history in general. So, let's dive headfirst into the achievements of Black people throughout history and highlight the successes of Black people past and present.
Every day is an opportunity to share and learn about Black history—let this blog light a fire under you to learn even more about Black history and the impactful, resounding ways this history has changed the world for the better. At National Barbers Insurance, we’re taking an approach that hits closest to home—a freewheeling chat about the history of Black barbershops.
Anyone who’s ever worked in, frequented, or stepped foot into a Black barbershop understands the experiential strengths and rich culture that’s interwoven—but ask yourself, do you know the history of how Black barbershops became what they are now?
Join us as we embark on a birds-eye-view timeline of the history of Black barbershops to provide historical context and celebrate the way Black barbershops changed the barbering game—and continue to do so.
A Brief History of Black Barbershops: A Glimpse Backward
Barbershops have always been more than places to get a haircut. They are cultural institutions, economic engines, centers of community discourse, and vital chapters in the story of African American resilience and achievement. As we celebrate Black History Month, it’s important to understand how the profession of barbering became deeply woven into the social, economic, and cultural fabric of Black America.
But how did this Black barbershop culture get to this point, and where did it all begin? Keep reading for a look into the history of Black barbershops.
Early Beginnings: Barbering in the Era of Slavery
Barbering in America has roots that stretch back to the institution of slavery. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, enslaved Black men were often employed for their grooming skills. Some were leased out to perform haircuts and shaves for white patrons, serving as one of the few skilled roles available to them under the oppressive conditions of slavery. This work was not only about cutting hair; it provided a rare form of economic participation and limited autonomy that stood in stark contrast to the broader denial of freedom.
Even after emancipation, Black barbers often served white clientele due to economic necessity and discriminatory practices that limited opportunities. Over time, however, Black barbers began establishing shops that catered to their own communities — fostering a sense of identity, entrepreneurship, and autonomy.
Emancipation & The First Black Barbershop Colleges
Post-emancipation, Black barbers were now free to serve whoever they wanted—Black customers included. As a result, the floodgates for this profession opened wider than ever before.
What’s more, a pressing and influential change in requirement legislation changed after emancipation—state laws changed at this time, stating that being a barber was a profession that required formal training.
Following emancipation, significant changes swept through the barbering profession:
- State licensing laws began to require formal training, elevating barbering from an informal craft to a regulated profession.
- This created both challenges and opportunities. Many barber schools initially excluded Black men, which limited professional advancement.
- In response, Black entrepreneurs began creating their own schools where Black barbers could receive the training necessary to obtain licenses and compete professionally.
Seeing an opportunity for advancement, employment, and empowerment, Henry M. Morgan opened the first national chain of barber colleges in 1934—The Tyler Barber College.
During this time, barbershops began becoming safe havens that were about more than just getting a haircut or a beard trim. These spaces were for the community, places where Black men and women could discuss social and societal reform, share ideas, and overall, find camaraderie and community in a time where it was needed most.
Tyler Barber College — A National Landmark
In 1934, Henry Miller Morgan founded what became the first national chain of barber colleges for African Americans — the Tyler Barber College in Tyler, Texas.
Morgan’s vision expanded rapidly. From its beginnings with just a handful of chairs, his barber college grew into a network of schools that trained students across the country. At one time, nearly 80% of all Black barbers in the United States had been trained and shaped by Tyler Barber College or its affiliated schools.
Today, there is a Texas Historical Commission marker commemorating Tyler Barber College and Morgan’s legacy in downtown Tyler, honoring his contributions to barbering, business ownership, and education.
Black Barbershops Take the 20th Century By Storm
Though opportunity was what had the initial push toward barbering, wealth popped up as a primary motivator for the profession shortly after. Simply put, the opportunity for Black men running Black barbershops shifted to the chance for prosperity—and prosper Black barbershops did.
During the 20th century, the world saw one of the first Black millionaires, Alonzo Herndon, who kick-started his empire with a single barbershop, and Willie Lee Morrows, a multimillionaire barber who was a pioneer in the Black hair care industry.
"Simply put, the opportunity for Black men running Black barbershops shifted to the chance for prosperity—and prosper Black barbershops did."
Barbershops remained the spots where societal change was catalyzed. Black barbershops were safe haven zones where Black liberation activists could gather and push forward change.
Another notable historical aside about Black barbershops? They played an immensely crucial role in the hip-hop scene at the beginning of the 1980s.
Black Barbershops as Community Hubs
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, barbershops run by Black business owners were increasingly important in Black neighborhoods across the United States. These shops were not just places for haircuts — they served as:
Gathering Places for Conversation and Culture
Black barbershops became informal forums where men (and later women) shared news, debated politics, discussed culture, and formed deep, intergenerational bonds. Because many public spaces were segregated or restricted, barbershops offered one of the few social spaces where Black men could congregate freely and engage in meaningful dialogue.
In these settings, conversations could range from local community news to national civil rights issues. The barbershop was, in many ways, a safe space for candid discussion, mutual encouragement, and strategic thinking during times when such spaces were rare.
Cultural Influence and Representation
Barbershops have played a role in shaping cultural expression. Beyond storytelling and community dialogue, they have influenced style, identity, and representation. Throughout the 20th century and into today:
- Black barbers helped refine grooming techniques that became widely recognized, including precise razor work and early adoption of electric clippers.
- Barbershops were referenced in literature, film, and popular culture — from the classic film, Barbershop, to social commentary about everyday life in African American communities.
These spaces have also served as settings where cultural movements and aesthetics — from jazz and the Harlem Renaissance to hip-hop and modern social media — intersect and evolve.
Entrepreneurship and Wealth Building
Barbering offered a promising pathway to economic independence for African Americans at a time when many professions were inaccessible due to racial discrimination. Several Black business leaders started or expanded their empires from barbershop roots, including Alonzo Herndon.
Alonzo Herndon: From Barber to Business Icon
Alonzo “Lon” Herndon was born into slavery in Georgia in 1858 but went on to become one of the first African American millionaires in the U.S. He achieved financial success through ownership of multiple barbershops in Atlanta that served affluent customers. Herndon leveraged this income to found the Atlanta Life Insurance Company, one of the most successful Black-owned insurance firms of the 20th century.
Herndon’s story reflects how barbering could serve as a launchpad for broader business achievement.
Evolution in Modern Times: Community Impact and Outreach
Barbershops continue to serve vital roles in Black communities today — not just as places of grooming, but as spaces of health education, mentorship, and community outreach.
- Health initiatives have used barbershops to provide blood pressure screenings, health education, and support services to African American men — a group that historically has faced disparities in access to healthcare.
- Some barbershops serve as mentoring hubs for youth, offering guidance on education and careers, especially in neighborhoods with limited opportunities.
These modern adaptations build on a long tradition of barbershop involvement in social well-being.
Black Barbershops and Entrepreneurship Today
No Grease! — A Modern Franchise Movement
Founded in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1997 by Damian and Jermaine Johnson, No Grease! became one of the first Black-owned franchised barbershop brands in the country. The brand blends grooming services, community engagement, and cultural design, creating modern spaces rooted in tradition.
No Grease! has also helped mentor barbers and business leaders — including figures like Shaun “Lucky” Corbett, who later opened a Black-owned barbershop inside a Walmart, using it as a community hub for tutoring, coat drives, and mentoring programs.
Barbering as Cultural Identity & Expression
Barbershops are not just commerce , they’re culture:
- The phrase “barbershop talk” is widely used to describe candid, unfiltered conversation about sports, politics, family, and community life.
- For many, getting a haircut at a Black barbershop is about identity, confidence, and belonging. The atmosphere underscores the barbershop’s role as a community cornerstone.
This cultural dimension has made barbershops symbols of trust, mentorship, and authenticity.
Looking Ahead: Barbering, Community, and Legacy
As we reflect on the history of Black barbershops during Black History Month, their impact is clear: from providing rare economic pathways during segregation to serving as cultural pillars in modern times, barbershops have played a uniquely enduring role in American life.
Here are some of the key legacies they carry forward:
- Entrepreneurship and economic empowerment
- Community building and social forums
- Cultural innovation and expression
- Health and educational outreach
- Intergenerational connections and mentorship
Barbering remains an evolving profession — grounded in craftsmanship but shaped by community needs, cultural expression, and social progress.
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