These images were created over 10 weeks. They are photojournalistic, but have a fine art quality that can't be ignored.

At the beginning of the term, we were asked a single question: Why is your subject matter relevant in 2023? I'm going to answer that question through a reflection of my time at The Classics Hub.

The Classics Hub is a barber shop located in South Philadelphia, just off the corner of Broad and Snyder. As a young girl and even now, the shop felt like another world. I was always an outsider looking in, only making an appearance to say hello to my Uncle and people who recognized me because of my father. I originally went in with imaginary blinders and a single goal: Capture the vibes and the people. Oh, and make sure you get at least 80 pictures a week.  That then raised another question...how do you authentically capture people? How do you present them in a way that embodies your perception of them, along with showcasing who they are as people? The answer is quite simple: you talk to them. You become a friend with no strings attached, simply become a face they would recognize in a crowd, and a person they wouldn't mind having a conversation with. Be genuine.

My time at the shop has taught me a few things. As a Black woman, I've understood that the barber shop is a staple in our community. There have been countless movies and references in Black television. I now realize that I was missing the "why". Why is there a sense of loyalty to one barber? Why do they spend hours in a shop when a haircut takes at most 45 minutes? And the simple answer to those questions is, they've built a community inside of a community. I've heard grown men argue about the socks (white vs black), talk about the upcoming football season, and somehow use basketball references to prove their point, and even gossip - yes gossip, about things going on in pop culture (the Keke Palmer situation). On the other hand, I've heard relationship advice be given, watched kids and young adults learn life skills, watched someone feed everyone in the shop on a Sunday, and met a father who supports his son's hobbies even though he doesn't understand them.

The Classics Hub is truly a hub. A place where boys can be boys, but also learn a few things along the way.