Barbershop Wrap

The Kedrick Scribner Foundation is proud to announce the launch of its next transformative initiative, Barbershop Wrap—a monthly gathering designed to provide not just free haircuts, but also mentorship, meals, and motivational guidance to boys, teens, and veterans in the Baltimore community. The program will take place at the Kedrick Scribner Vocational Center, 2900 Taylor Avenue, Parkville, MD, beginning this fall.

Barbershop Wrap represents a vision to restore dignity, build confidence, and create a safe space where community members can find encouragement and connection. While the idea may sound simple—offering a haircut and a meal—the underlying purpose runs much deeper. A fresh haircut can transform how someone feels about themselves. Pair that with a nourishing meal and a heartfelt conversation, and you have the beginnings of real change.

The Kedrick Scribner Foundation has always been dedicated to addressing both practical needs and deeper emotional challenges. With Barbershop Wrap, the Foundation is creating an atmosphere that reflects the traditions of the barbershop: a place where stories are shared, lessons are learned, and communities are strengthened. In many neighborhoods, the barbershop has long been a hub of connection, trust, and dialogue. Building on that legacy, this initiative turns the barbershop experience into a vehicle for mentorship and empowerment.

More Than a Haircut

The cornerstone of Barbershop Wrap is the monthly event where participants receive free professional haircuts. But this is far more than a grooming service. For boys and teens, a haircut often provides an instant confidence boost, giving them the self-assurance they need to face school, sports, and social interactions. For veterans, who may struggle with the transition back to civilian life or face the challenges of unemployment and reintegration, a haircut can be a small but powerful reminder that they are valued and seen.

Alongside the grooming services, participants will also enjoy a hot meal. Food is not just nourishment for the body—it is a way of building community and creating a sense of belonging. Sitting down to a meal together fosters conversation, laughter, and connection. The Kedrick Scribner Foundation believes in addressing both the physical and emotional needs of participants, ensuring that every individual leaves with a full stomach and a full heart.

The Power of Mentorship

Perhaps the most impactful element of Barbershop Wrap is the mentorship component. Each month, participants will hear from motivational speakers—leaders with powerful stories and practical advice to share. These sessions are designed to inspire, uplift, and provide tools for overcoming life’s obstacles.

The upcoming lineup includes:

• September 28, 2025 – Dr. Kedrick Scribner: “Life”

• October 26, 2025 – Kevin Wilson: “Getting Out of My Own Way”

• November 30, 2025 – Michael Hill: “There’s a Better Way”

• December 28, 2025 – Nathaniel Rollins: “Managing Family Life”

Each speaker brings a unique perspective. Dr. Scribner will open the series by reflecting on the gift of life itself—its challenges, its blessings, and the importance of living with purpose. Kevin Wilson will share insights about the power of self-reflection and the need to remove personal roadblocks in order to grow. Michael Hill will focus on hope and alternatives, reminding participants that no matter how difficult circumstances may seem, there is always a better way forward. Finally, Nathaniel Rollins will close out the year with a session on managing family life, offering strategies for balancing responsibilities and relationships in healthy, productive ways.

These talks are more than speeches—they are seeds of hope and wisdom planted in the hearts of participants. For some, these words may become the catalyst for lasting change, sparking the motivation to pursue education, career goals, or healthier family relationships.

Why Boys, Teens, and Veterans?

The focus of Barbershop Wrap reflects the Foundation’s understanding of pressing community needs.

• Boys and Teens: Young men today face countless challenges, from peer pressure and bullying to navigating environments that may lack positive male role models. Too often, they are not given the guidance they need to make healthy choices. Barbershop Wrap gives them access to mentors who can listen, advise, and encourage them in a way that resonates.

• Veterans: Those who have served our nation often struggle upon returning home. Challenges such as unemployment, homelessness, PTSD, and reintegration into civilian life can leave veterans feeling isolated and undervalued. By including them in Barbershop Wrap, the Foundation ensures they are reminded of their worth and provided with both companionship and support.

By bridging these two groups—youth and veterans—the program also creates intergenerational opportunities for mentorship. Veterans can share their wisdom and life lessons, while youth can bring energy and openness, creating an exchange that benefits both.

Small Acts, Big Impact

The Kedrick Scribner Foundation operates on the principle that consistent, small acts of service can create powerful ripple effects. A haircut may last only a few weeks, and a meal may fill someone for a day, but the mentorship and encouragement received at Barbershop Wrap can stay with participants for a lifetime.

The Foundation has witnessed firsthand how access to role models and safe spaces can alter the trajectory of a young person’s life. By combining practical services with motivational experiences, Barbershop Wrap ensures that each participant leaves not only looking better but feeling stronger, more confident, and more connected.

A Call to Community

The Kedrick Scribner Foundation invites the Baltimore community to rally behind this initiative. There are many ways to get involved—through volunteering, spreading the word, donating resources, or simply showing up to support the sessions. Community involvement is what gives a program like this its strength.

The success of Barbershop Wrap will not be measured only by the number of haircuts given or meals served but by the transformation seen in the lives of its participants. When a boy leaves with a smile, a teen leaves with a new sense of purpose, or a veteran leaves with renewed dignity, the program has achieved its mission.

Looking Ahead

Barbershop Wrap is more than a program; it is the beginning of a movement. By building consistency—month after month—the Kedrick Scribner Foundation is establishing a rhythm of care, mentorship, and encouragement that participants can count on. Over time, the goal is for these small gatherings to produce big results: stronger families, empowered youth, supported veterans, and ultimately, a stronger Baltimore community.

The Kedrick Scribner Foundation has always believed in meeting people where they are, addressing both immediate needs and long-term growth. With Barbershop Wrap, the Foundation continues its mission of serving with compassion, vision, and a commitment to lasting impact.

Because at the end of the day, this is not just about haircuts or meals. It is about dignity. It is about hope. It is about giving every participant—whether a boy, a teen, or a veteran—the tools and encouragement they need to move forward with confidence.

Barbershop Wrap is a reminder that transformation begins in small, ordinary moments: a haircut, a shared meal, a conversation. From these moments, lives can be changed, families can be strengthened, and communities can be renewed.