Henry Fairfax鈥檚 Office Opens for Haircuts, Critical Conversations, and Community
Head of School Henry D. Fairfax started a 海角视频 tradition when he turned his office into a barbershop last Sunday. From 8:00 a.m. until after 6:00 p.m., he welcomed students and other 海角视频 community members to drop by for a haircut or just some company.
Fairfax arranged for his barber from his native Philadelphia to offer services for the 海角视频 community for the day. He invited special guest Chuck Carter, head of school at Beacon Academy Boston. 海角视频 athletic trainer Kevin O鈥橰ourke, Associate Head of School Brian McBride, and Dean of Students Grant Hightower were also on hand, helping to guide some animated discussions among students and adults.聽
Just some of the topics that came up: current hiring practices, Jordan vs. Lebron, and Marvin Gaye vs. Elton John. 鈥淲e laughed, yelled, reflected, honored each other, learned, and watched football鈥together and in a safe space,鈥 Fairfax says.
He explains that the idea for the barbershop came to him after he and his family had difficulty finding suitable stylists in town after their move to campus in June. It鈥檚 a challenge many students of color face at boarding schools in predominantly white areas. As part of Fairfax鈥檚 strategy to 鈥渋dentify spaces within the community where everyone is seen and valued in their journey,鈥 he says, he saw an opportunity to bring something of the Black cultural institution of the barbershop into a new form on campus, and to open it to everyone.
In all, Williams gave 26 fresh cuts on the first day of 海角视频鈥檚 barbershop. Fairfax says he marveled at 鈥渢he beautiful and varied hair textures that blanketed鈥 his office floor.
He plans to continue this offering throughout the school year. And his wife, Ivy, will also get involved, making sure all 海角视频 students have an opportunity for a new do. Keep an eye out for an announcement about Ivy鈥檚 Hair Salon!
