More Than a Haircut: How Martha’s Table Is Shaping the Next Generation

Hands twist braids, scissors snip, and laughter fills the room. The Barbers and Beauticians program at Martha’s Table looks like a typical salon at first, but underneath the brushes and clippers, young people are learning lessons that reach far beyond hair, lessons in teamwork, discipline, and believing in themselves. 

This is the program’s second round, and the energy in the room feels different this time. One mentor, Dr. Acia Williams, smiled and said that sometimes the second round is even better than the first. “I always enjoy my time coming here,” Williams said. Watching students step into something new and discover their abilities is what makes the program special.

“We’re not expecting you to come in knowing anything. But I’ve watched my ladies and gentlemen grow in areas they’d never tried before, whether it was braiding, curling, or even just working with other people.” – Dr. Acia Williams

Life lessons happen in small moments. Mentors, Marco Bey Price and Dr. Acia Williams, notice and celebrate showing up on time, helping a peer, and following through on a project. “It’s not how you start, but how you finish. Many start, but only a few finish strong,” Price said. Students hear it, feel it, and live it. One participant showed up every day ready to learn. “He was committed. He was dedicated,” a Price said with pride.

The program also opens doors early. Most barber and cosmetology programs don’t accept students until they are eighteen. At Martha’s Table, they can explore creativity, discover new passions, and gain a head start toward careers in the beauty industry. Students are learning skills that could lead to jobs in barbershops, salons, and other professional settings, giving them a real advantage as they plan their futures.

More than that, the program reflects how Martha’s Table invests in the brilliance of the community. By creating spaces where young people can explore their talents, grow their confidence, and build skills that translate into careers, Martha’s Table nurtures the potential that already exists within each student.

By the end of the day, it’s clear the program is about more than hair. It’s about confidence, discipline, and seeing the possibilities for a future career, helping students understand that finishing strong matters not only in the salon chair but in life.

“We are taught more about our limitations than our possibilities. But here, you start to see what’s possible.” – Marco Bey Price

That’s the heartbeat of the Barbers & Beauticians program. Yes, it’s about clippers and braids. 

But it’s also about confidence, discipline, and knowing that you can finish strong both in the salon chair and in life.

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