Seattle Barbers Launched Weekly Youth Training Program
Local students can learn professional barbering skills every Tuesday at the Garfield Community Center.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Barbers Jabari Hayes and Jameel Shabazz have started Fades of the Future, a free weekly program in Seattle designed to mentor youth. The initiative provides hands-on technical instruction and fosters professional development for local teenagers.
Why it matters
By teaching trade skills like fading and lining up hair, the founders aim to create a path toward financial independence for students. The program reflects the mentors' commitment to giving back to the community that raised them.
The Fades of the Future program draws on the 15 years of industry experience held by Jabari Hayes. Sessions currently operate every Tuesday evening to provide youth with a consistent foundation in professional barbering.
The players
Jabari Hayes
A barber with 15 years of experience who owns Mo'Stylez Barbershop and Salon and co-owns Legacy Beauty Supply.
Jameel Shabazz
The founder of J Styles Barbershop and the nonprofit Project Impact who is dedicated to youth mentorship in Seattle.
The details
Students receive hands-on instruction in cutting, fading, lining up, and styling hair. Mentors also emphasize professional habits, specifically the importance of paying attention and following detailed instructions. One graduate of the program has already transitioned into the workforce, currently working at J Styles Barbershop while assisting in the instruction of new students.
Timeline
2025: The Fades of the Future initiative began.
Every Tuesday: Mentors lead training sessions.
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Weekly training session hours.
The Home Front
The project follows the legacy established by the historical ownership by De Charlene Dozier of the Central District site by repurposing the building for community education. It highlights a growing trend of utilizing historic local assets to provide vocational training for youth.
Families interested in the program should head to the Garfield Community Center on Tuesday evenings between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Prospective students or parents should plan to arrive promptly to observe the training environment and speak with the mentors.
The takeaway
The program provides a valuable bridge from education to trade-based careers for Seattle youth. Interested residents should keep an eye on fundraising efforts as the founders work to renovate the historic Central District site for their future school.
Further reading
Learn more about local opportunities for skill-building in the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Seattle Medium.
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