26/04/2025
Hey IG friends-
Today I met a young barber named Juwan. He’s 21, licensed for three years, and recently got laid off from his factory job due to all the tariff stuff happening. Right now, he’s trying to grow his barber business full-time.
During our conversation, it became clear he’s hungry — not just for clients, but for real mentorship. He’s open, he’s trying, and he’s putting himself out there.
Here’s where I need your help:
Being a 50-something white guy, I know that offering help to a young Black man who’s fought through some tough life circumstances could easily be misinterpreted. I don’t want Juwan to feel like there’s a catch. I genuinely want to help him win — with no strings attached, no judgment, no agenda.
Next time I go back for a beard trim, I’d love to show him a thread of encouragement from you — a diverse collection of real people who can vouch that my heart is to help, not harm.
Special call-out to my LA people — the Romans, the Lions, and all my high school friends —
If you could jump in here too, it would mean the world. You knew me when life was a little rough around the edges. Your voices would speak volumes about where I came from, what I’ve seen, and how seriously I take standing alongside someone who’s fighting to better themselves.
If you know me — from work, from life, from online, from way back — and can vouch for my heart, could you leave a quick comment here? Even just a short note would mean a lot. I want to show him a sea of people from all different backgrounds so he doesn’t just see me — he sees a whole community rooting for him.
Thank you for helping me build trust the right way.
– Demian
