The Barber Giving Free Back-to-School Haircuts for 31 Years
Published · Researched 2026-09-22
What happened (dated facts)
For more than 30 years, barbershop owner Shawn Moses has offered free back-to-school haircuts to all K-12 students at his A Cut Above the Rest Neighborhood Barbershop locations each August — the 2026 edition marking the 31st year of the tradition. As back-to-school costs climb, the free cuts give families meaningful relief; Moses says the impact is biggest for larger families. He frames it as a community mission: "I know being generous and giving does something for people, when you give to them and love them that way." Kids come back years later telling him their grades went up. Covered by WTVF (NewsChannel 5 Nashville) and Houston Style Magazine (2026-08-05).
Why it is genuinely positive
Three decades of free haircuts for schoolkids — thousands of children starting school with confidence, no strings attached. Sustained, joyful generosity.
Social pulse
WTVF/NewsChannel 5 covered the 2026 edition on air and online; Houston Style Magazine reported it (2026-08-05); the story spread on social good-news channels.
Verified quotes
- Shawn Moses, via WTVF (quoted by Houston Style Magazine, 2026-08): "You look good, feel good and act good and you do good."
- Shawn Moses, via WTVF (quoted by Houston Style Magazine, 2026-08): "I know being generous and giving does something for people, when you give to them and love them that way."
- Shawn Moses, via WTVF (quoted by Houston Style Magazine, 2026-08): "It's about giving to them and not expecting anything in return."
- Parent Sabrina Jones, via WTVF (quoted by Houston Style Magazine, 2026-08): "Things that used to be on sale, you don't catch them on sale anymore. So it's been difficult to budget for our first needs and then haircuts."
Verification
- Tier: 2
- Primary source: WTVF NewsChannel 5 Nashville (2026-08); Houston Style Magazine, "Barber continues 31-year tradition of free Back-to-School haircuts" (2026-08-05) — http://stylemagazine.com/news/2026/aug/05/barber-continues-31-year-tradition-of-free-back-to-school-haircuts/
- Social sources: WTVF social distribution; social good-news reposts.
- Positivity check: passed — 31 years of free help for kids; joyful.
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barber | Shawn Moses, A Cut Above the Rest Neighborhood Barbershop | WTVF / Style Magazine | 2026-08 |
| Tradition | Free back-to-school haircuts for all K-12 students; 31st year in 2026 | WTVF / Style Magazine | 2026-08 |
UNVERIFIED points
- City of the barbershop locations not captured (WTVF is Nashville; locations not confirmed in the excerpt).
- Total number of children served over 31 years not captured.