The SHOP designs space for community
As a student wanders to the campus Starbucks to order their much needed caffeine boost – a cold brew – they hear the sound of clippers, music and laughter emanating from the Back Alley. Peaking around the corner, they stumble upon The SHOP.
Augustana University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion organization hosted the first of five free barbershop events on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Back Alley. “The SHOP,” invites local barbers from the Sioux Falls area to campus, providing students with more than just a haircut.
“It's never just a haircut,” Deion Sails, a Sioux Falls barber at The Artist’s Club said. “It's everything else. The haircut comes last actually.”
“There is culture here, and there are people who care about you,” Sails said, “You might not hear your music, or have your style of food everywhere, so with those elements of home not being there, that's what I aspire to be – to replace some part of that.”
Sails is a Sioux Falls-born, Memphis-raised barber who is passionate about fostering change in the Sioux Falls community. Sails is skilled at working with a range of hair textures and patterns, though he specializes in men's haircuts.
“I remember the barber experience in Memphis,” Sails said. “People would be talking about the movies, the games, the music. I felt like there was never a place in Sioux Falls where it was a barbershop.”
The SHOP aspires to be a "barbershop."
Willette Capers, assistant vice provost of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, came up with the event, but Tyra Hawkins, assistant director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion brought it to life.
On Wednesdays, Tyrone Wilson from 5 Star Cutz n’ Salon will set up shop in the Back Alley, while on Fridays, Sails will make an appearance in the same location. Both artists are experienced in cutting and styling a variety of different hair types to ensure the students' needs are met, Wilson said.
According to the event’s post on Viking Central, its purpose “derives from the cultural significance of barbershops in Black communities as hubs of connection, conversation, and community building.”
“We kind of want to recreate the tradition of Black barbershops, where it’s a place where people feel safe and have meaningful conversations,” Hawkins said. “It's a place where any and everybody can come hang out, even if you don’t want to get a haircut.”
The SHOP features cards, music and a PlayStation to create a lively fun atmosphere for students to relax between classes.
“When we are rising to what we think of as our best selves, it is stemming from connection and belonging,” Angie Hummel, Augustana’s Mental Health and Wellness Specialist, said.
“Hair can sometimes be an extension of who we are internally,” Hummel said.
Students like juniors Patrick Adah and Matt Thapa, both of whom are from Nepal, expressed their appreciation for the event's accessibility.
“I used to pay $1 to get a basic haircut and $5 to get a fancy haircut back home,” Thapa said. “Spending 10 times more on a haircut here was a little too much for me, and now The SHOP gives an amazing haircut for free on campus.”
Students moving to Sioux Falls may experience a culture shock and be unsure of where to get their hair cut, ultimately causing students to feel homesick, Hawkins said. But she is hopeful that the events will help students feel closer to home and find comfort they might be searching for.
The remaining dates free barbershop events are Oct. 23 and 25, and Nov. 20 and 22. Hawkins hopes The SHOP will evolve into a regularly scheduled event in semesters to come.
Students can reserve a spot at The SHOP for upcoming events on Viking Central; however, spots for the next SHOP event on Oct. 23 are already full.
