Real-world barber training, community roots, and entrepreneurial vision — building the next generation of industry leaders.
Erskine Reeves Barber Academy · CTE Training Partnership with Proviso D209
The Erskine Reeves Barber Academy Program is built on a foundation that prepares students not just to cut hair — but to lead, create, and thrive in one of America's fastest-growing trades.
Students in the Erskine Reeves Barber Academy Program don't just learn inside a classroom — they step out into the community. From free community cut days to neighborhood outreach events, students develop a deep sense of civic pride and responsibility. They learn that the barbershop has always been a cornerstone of community life, and that their skills carry power beyond the chair. Every haircut is an act of service, connection, and belonging.
Civic Pride · Outreach · ServiceMany students have never held a pair of professional clippers before entering our program. Erskine Reeves Barber Academy introduces them to the craft through hands-on practice with real clients, professional tools, and guided technique development. Students are exposed to foundational cuts, skin fades, line-up work, and styling — building genuine skill and confidence that they couldn't gain from a textbook alone. The barbershop floor is their classroom.
Hands-On Skills · Technique · ConfidenceThe barber industry is a world of its own — competitions, product lines, celebrity clients, brand partnerships, and global culture. Erskine Reeves Barber Academy opens that world to students through field trips to professional barbershops, guest appearances from licensed master barbers, exposure to industry trade shows, and curriculum covering licensing, regulations, and professional standards. Students don't just learn a trade — they join an industry with deep history and a bright future.
Industry · Licensing · Professional StandardsA barber license is a business license. Erskine Reeves Barber Academy trains students to think like owners from day one — covering booth rentals, shop management, client retention, social media branding, and basic financial literacy. Students learn how to build a loyal clientele, price their services, and plan for the future. Whether they want to work in a premium shop, open their own studio, or build a brand, Erskine Reeves Barber Academy gives them the entrepreneurial mindset to make it happen.
Business · Branding · Financial LiteracyThe barbershop has always been more than a place to get a haircut. It's where communities gather, where young men find mentors, and where entrepreneurs are born. The Erskine Reeves Barber Academy Program puts that tradition to work for the next generation.