Page B-2 • michiganchronicle.com • April 10-16, 2019
Another Level From page B-1
ren, where she was the only female barber.
The Barber Shop
“While others were waiting on the men barbers to cut their hair, I was in a hurry, so I sat in her chair. She cut my hair and I’ve been going to her since then,” said Yunnas Tony Harrison, 51, of Roseville. “Tina also braids my daughter’s hair. Tina is very talented woman and she has skills, runs a tight business and I’m very proud of her.” Sanusi, also puts her talent into community service. Among other things she gives free haircuts and school supplies for a back-to-school program run by the church next door, By Faith Outreach Ministries located at 17820 E. Warren Ave. “It means a lot to our church congregation that Tina offers free hair cuts and donates school supplies and her time to our annual back-toschool event every year for the past five years,” Pastor Claudia Finley said. Sanusi describes her Christian owned and operated shop as a comfortable, caring place, often filled with lively conversation about the latest
Where A Man Can Be A Man and A Boy Learns How Written by Detroit City Councilman Andre L. Spivey
movies, politics and the news. She says Detroit stylists have a national reputation for excellence. “When I go out of town on trips with family or to hair conventions, people will say, ‘Oh my God, your hair is so nice; you must be from Detroit’. Detroit is recognized for our colors and styles”. Sanusi’s motto incorporates the name of her salon. “If you’re not taken by your style, you should be taking it to Another Level”.
That urban secular sanctuary around the corner, next to church and school, I’ve gone there all my life. A place where a fatherless child can take his pick. You can be schooled in how to handle boss man, Know the ways to please or displease your lady, woman, wife or sometimes-called momma. The barbershop where a man can be a man, Where wisdom and knowledge float around, a place oh so grand. The place where everybody is on equal footing. You can have a doctor in one chair, a factory worker in another, a skilled tradesmen in the middle and rounding out the last chair, the preacher. A place where he can be himself just kicking it with the boys but not disrespecting his special calling to be a spokesperson for the good Lawd. Every now and then a sister will come to get trimmed or lined, everyone is on their best behavior for it could be your wife, mother, daughter, sister of aunt another day. The barbershop where a man can be a man, Where wisdom and knowledge float around, a place oh so grand. As you wait and conversate, it’s finally here, your turn for a cut. You ascend the throne of the barber’s chair as he places the royal robe upon you to keep you from having small pieces of hair as accents to your attire. He asks your request, and for the next few minutes he is at your beck and call. As you’re turned around in the chair you see nod and eye the awaiting crowd as each follicle falls, transforming you into your very own king once again. The barbershop where a man can be a man, Where wisdom and knowledge float around, a place oh so grand.
Faye ‘Ness
Detroit City Councilman Andre L. Spivey goes to two Detroit barber shops: Walt’s Barber Shop on Mack, and McKee & Stoner Barber Lounge on Grand River.
From page B-1
Barber, Tony Brookings, Mann’s “brother from another mother,” says they rarely get negative people in the shop but when they do, they just set a better example and diffuse the situation. He praises the “Most High” for bringing him into this brotherhood. “It was meant for me to be here,” he said. Brookings said the men in the shop discuss issues like those covered at the monthly Men Circles he and Mann attend. He noted, “In society you’re taught not to cry. Men don’t do this or that. But you’re human. You’re gonna cry.” Good Fathers Only, another group Mann started, is a non-profit with 30plus men. They are preparing for a Father’s Day weekend Fatherhood Conference and Father and Son Breakfast. More than a dozen of these volunteers are clients of the shop as well.
Mann says his occupation is “national encourager.”
The two organizations hold annual activities, including a fatherhood walk and pancake breakfast. Mann’s youngest, 15-year-old son Cameron, participates with his dad – including pitching in to cook all of the eggs for 80 people at the pancake event and cleaning the commercial kitchen afterward.
Kalin Lucas, a former Michigan State University Spartan, played overseas after graduating in 2011.
Mann says the men here focus on affirming the father’s role in the family and lifting the value of fathering. He taught his son to shop, budget, cook and clean. “Him being prepared for life is my job.”
Proof of his power to propel youth comes from Ken Lucas who came in for a cut. He’s the father of the shop’s owner, native Detroiter and new Detroit Piston Kalin Lucas.
His perseverance has now earned him a Pistons contract and when asked about mentoring programs that helped build his son’s character, Ken Lucas points to Mann, the coach who he says reinforced time management, personal responsibility and respect. “That was his mentor,” the father says with pride. For more info on the Encourage ME I’m Young visit: http://emiyworld.com/
Alta Moda From page B-1
The salon formerly housed the Universal Barber College. The spacious salon offers ample room for clients to relax or discuss the day’s hot topics. On any given day you might find customers in the salon chair working or socializing on their cell phones or jumping into one of the serious discussions. Palmer is a catalyst in keeping the discussions going. He always has an opinion and shares it frequently with clients. So much so that one of his regular clients, Riana Anderson, a professor at U of M school of Public Health in Ann Arbor recently invited him to speak to her class. “Professor Anderson has been coming to the salon for eight years,” Palmer said. “She lives in Detroit and commutes to Ann Arbor every day. We’ve had long discussions about social issues that’s why she
invited me to speak to her class.” When asked how he got into the salon business, Palmer replied, “My family has always been in the beauty business. My aunt did make-up, another aunt did nails. I worked in the automotive plant. When I left the plant I went to beauty school.” Curtis, a Chrysler worker and a regular customer who didn’t want to give his full name, likes being in a salon with women and has had the same barber for 24 years. “I come every Wednesday. I love my barber,” he said. Clinton Childs, a barber at Alta Moda salon since 2001, also has women customers. “This is a great place to work, great atmosphere,” he said.. Alonzo lets you be your own boss.” Another customer joined the chorus of praise. “I’ve been coming here for two years,” said Z. Needham. “I like the location, the prices and I love my stylist, Charisma Wilson. Everyone is so friendly. It’s like coming to a spa; it’s very relaxing.”