Black-owned barbershops are the cornerstones of our black communities. They’re more than just places to get your haircut but where black men and women are able to ‘let their hair down and be absolutely comfortable in themselves and their blackness. “Their position in American culture is well-known: They’re places to talk about the events of the day, to swap stories — and, according to Vassar College history Professor Quincy Mills, to let African-American men become entrepreneurs.” – Kai Ryssdal. Solomon Williams, a 20-year-old native of Birmingham, Alabama has prolonged the vision and energy of the black barbershop. Williams arrived at Oakwood in January of 2019 and has been making long strides since then. Williams became the first-ever student to have an operating barbershop of his own on campus. Again, he’s only been here for a little over a month. His passion for barbering and people has groomed him into great a man dedicated to his work.
His interest in barbering came from the frustration of paying upwards of $20 to have someone else do his hair for him. In order to save money, he learned how to cut his own hair and later realized how much he liked it. He developed his skill and later on was offered to go to barbering school at Lawson State Community College. He finished barbering school in one year at the top of his class.
Williams didn’t always have the idea of starting his own shop but somewhere along the lines God gave him the idea of “Architexture Grooming”. The name of his shop is quite interesting. He had a long-time interest in construction and architecture but found that that career wasn’t his fit. He found a way to combine his love of architecture and barbering to make “Architexture” which includes the word “Architecture” and “Texture” as in the texture of one’s hair. He had an idea, made a brand, and was determined to make his vision come to fruition. When he arrived at Oakwood he spoke with the Dean and the residents of Edwards Hall and was able to get his own space in the dorm for his shop. He made it his own and started his grind.
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