Friendship, family and fades: Brotherz Kutz

Brotherz Kutz barbershop has given precision lineups, crisp fades and a healthy dose of community in Calgary's Forest Lawn neighborhood since it opened its doors in February 1992. 

According to owner Ted Leslie (pictured below) there were not many barbershops in Calgary that catered to the specific needs and styles of Black hair, but from the day it opened, Brotherz Kutz was more than just a place to get a haircut.

"It was a meeting place for the community.… A lot of people from the Caribbean islands could meet and talk about their upbringing," said Leslie, who is of Jamaican descent.

That Caribbean influence is noticeable in the accents of several barbers and clients, and in the island tunes that form the soundtrack to the shop alongside buzzing clippers. But Leslie says it has become a place where different communities feel welcome and anyone can get a quality haircut. 

Shola and his son Bubu pose for a photo at Brotherz Kutz. He says the shop has been his go-to for a haircut since he moved to Calgary from Nigeria three years ago. 

"As the owner, I try to leave a positive attitude on each and everyone that comes into the shop. I just try to reach out to everyone in a loving way, in a kind way," said Leslie. 

A station at Brotherz Kutz is decorated with bank notes from countries around the world, given by customers. 

"Many places you don't feel like you belong, but in this barbershop they make you at home," said Nubek (pictured below).

However, all the good vibes in the world would count for nothing if the haircuts were not up to par.

"They have great barbers," he added. "Some past barbers kind of messed me up, but since I've been coming here, it's been different," he said laughing.

Leslie struggled to meet demand for his services initially but he now has a team of eight barbers dedicated to what he calls "the craft." 

"The barbers here are premium, they spend quality time. So wherever you're getting quality service and product, that's a combination you can't beat," said Chevaughn Fuller. 

Fuller (pictured below) says the shop is not only a social hub but an economic one. He was a DJ before coming to Calgary to study, and through connections he made at the barbershop, he has been able to start a business throwing parties.  

"They hook you up with jobs and give you opportunities. So if you came here fresh from the Caribbean, this is the spot that you want to be," he said. 

Here, the relationship between barber and client is held in high regard. 

"You're touching someone, so it becomes personal," said Leslie. "They tell you things you cannot repeat, not even to yourself. And if you have a really good barber from [when] you sit down in the chair, you don't have to say anything else, he knows exactly what to do." 

"You build that relationship. You build that trust. He understands you," said Jay (pictured below). 

Jay has come to Brotherz Kutz since he was a child and got his first-ever haircut from Leslie.

"I grew up in this shop. It's family, man. I come here [and] it's like my second home. It's all love, you feel safe. What else can you ask for?"

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of.