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Master Barber, Chine Barbershop

The traditional capacity of the barbershop in the black community has always reached beyond the responsibilities of just being a place to get a haircut. It serves as a community resource where men are able to share their perspectives on sports, current events and what's going on in the neighborhood. At Chine Barbershop in Chicago's Bronzeville area, master barber James "Red" Harvey carries on the legacy of being the nucleus of information.

"The barbershop is the hub. It always has been. With the change in times, things change. The barbershop is where you get all your information. I make it a point to know what's going on," Harvey explains.

Harvey discovered his natural talent when he performed his first haircut in the basement of a friend's house. Twenty-one years later, he possesses an elite proficiency in his craft. With an aura filled with wisdom and humility, Harvey attributes the longevity of his career and the maintenance of a healthy clientele to his skill and his ability to remain mindful of his customers' preferences once they take a seat in his chair. "I have a lot of customers who [work in the corporate world]; some are pastors of big churches and some customers are athletes. Most of my professional customers, when they come into the barbershop they don't like to talk about their jobs. It's their place to release," he says. Regardless of the nature of your visit to Chine Barbershop, two things that Harvey makes readily available are good conversation and a great cut. -jamana jamison




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