URCAD Sneak Peek: Kendal Howell

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 14:41:44 -0400

Join us at URCAD on April 12, 2023! Come see Kendal's research presentation at 12:00 noon in UC 310:

Title: Watch Me Work: Baltimore Barbershops, Hair Salons, Stories & More

Mentor: Dr. Nicole King, American Studies

Abstract:

Picture this: a corner shop. You walk in and hear the buzz of clippers from a barber or a salon, the smell of burning flat iron, then some faint neo-soul music and real talk amongst the stylists and clients. What is this place? Why does it matter? Why is it here? What better way to know than to hear from the ones who run it? The right to the city can be defined in numerous ways, but this research dives into its culturally independent side. Black-owned businesses aren't just for profit; they aim to create safe spaces and independence. The Watch Me Work project methodology is an interactive interview set up to hear the stories of Black Baltimore Salons and Barbershops from the owners. An article by the Huffington Post notes that "black salons are a social hub" and are "safe spaces" for people to be unapologetically black. This project focuses on how and why this space was created from the mouths of the creators. Video interviews with the owners are the most authentic way to capture the stories of these environments. In conclusion, the objective of this project is to explore the pursuit of Black Business in Baltimore.

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