
Barbershop
Black Futures Presents: Barbershop – Monthly hair services right on campus. Whether you need to refresh your fade, or crisp up that line. Barbershop has got you covered.
Join us at Hart House monthly for our free drop-in barber services for students who have Afro-textured hair needs. Hosted in the Hart House Map Room, Barbershop is excited to feature campus and community partners. From fresh trims and healthy tresses to fly beats, eats, and comfy seats, each week you’ll leave knowing that your hair (and self-care) game are on lock.
Services are limited (list below) and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Appointment slots will be posted starting at 12:00 PM the day AFTER each Barbershop. If you can’t make it beforehand, feel free to come in during service hours to join the waitlist and soak in the vibes.
- Registration for January 29 opens January 19
- Registration for February 26 coming soon
- Registration for March 25 coming soon
Services offered for Afro-textured hair
- Hair or Beard Trim
- Fade
- Hair-line/Beard Line-up
- Braiding Services
For those dropping in, registration is not required. However, in order to maintain a safe and student-focused space we will be asking for student ID (T-Card) for anyone looking to access this drop-in space. Please be prepared to show your T-Card.

Join us throughout the Fall 2023 semester!
Barbershop w/ special guest, Marcus Singleton
Sign up for a cut or a fade, or just drop by to play some video games, enjoy some snacks, or chat with other students.
Looking for a free cut, fade, or style? Click the link below to book your time:
REGISTRATION OPENS AT 12 PM ON SEPTEMBER 17
Special Guest Host
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Marcus Singleton a.k.a. iomos marad
Community Connector, Hip Hop Education
Marcus is originally from the Englewood Community in the South Side of Chicago. He is a conscious Hip-Hop artist/educator who is an advocate for Black students. He completed his Masters of Education in Social Justice Education and is currently a Ph.D student in the Social Justice Department at The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, under the supervision of Dr. rosalind hampton.
His research focuses on Critical Hip-Hop Pedagogy and Critical Race reading practices within Black Studies. Using Critical Hip-Hop Pedagogy and Critical Race reading practices, the goal is to create counter-spaces of resistance with Black students who are willing to move collaboratively and transnationally to challenge and deconstruct institutions (schools & prisons) constructed by eurocentric-colonialistic ideas and methods of teaching.
His research interests include the mixed methodologies of:
- (Auto)ethnography;
- Black Emancipatory Action Research (BEAR);
- Critical Race Theory (CRT) reading practices;
- Youth Action Participatory Research (YPAR).
The goal again, is to create counter-spaces and platforms for critical-creative art based practices for Black students to reclaim their voice and their African/Caribbean/ Afro-Latino/ Indigenous ways of learning. Marcus contends that as Black students begin to take ownership and reclaim their voice and develop their own pedagogies and methodologies for learning, they will be able to counter colonial eurocentric institutions (schools & prisons) that continue to uphold anti-Black, oppressive teaching approaches as a weapon aimed against Black students versus using education and pedagogy as a liberatory practice for Black students.
Barbershop w/ special guests, the UTSU executive
Sign up for a cut or a fade, or just drop by to play some video games, enjoy some snacks, or chat with other students.
Meet your student union representatives during this special edition of Barbershop!
Special Guests
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Al-amin Ahamed
Vice President Professional Faculties, University of Toronto Students' Union
Al-Amin Ahamed (he/they) is the Vice-President Professional Faculties of the UTSU, as well as a fourth-year Doctor of Pharmacy candidate. Before their term, they worked closely with the pharmacy faculty and student body as the President of the Undergraduate Pharmacy Society (UPS). This year, they're hoping to bring their advocacy efforts to all professional faculties in hopes of alleviating financial burden, mental health concerns and improving the overall student experience while at UofT. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Al if you want to talk about anything school related, healthcare, music or Drag Race.
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Fi Hewes
Vice President, Student Life, University of Toronto Students' Union
Fiona Hewes (she/her) is the Vice-President Student Life of the UTSU, as well as a fourth-year student studying Cinema Studies, as well as History and Art History. Now that orientation is over, Fi is focused on developing club recognition policies and helping students understand the resources we offer. Fi is also focused on rideshare (sign up for Uber with your UofT email and request a voucher code up to twice a month for $10 each; can be used 11pm-5am only in GTA; officially starting on October 1).
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Fatima Sohail
Vice President Equity, University of Toronto Students' Union
Fatima Sohail (she/her) is the Vice-President Equity of the UTSU, as well as a fourth-year student studying Critical Equity and Solidarity Studies, as well as Contemporary Asian Studies. Before her term, she was working with the University of Toronto's Women Student Association on creating professional opportunities for female identifying students at UofT. She was also part of Refuge Aid UofT and was in charge of guiding refugee students with information and resources. This year, she's hoping to create opportunities for first generation, BIPOC and Queer students, and find ways to provide them with support post graduation.
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Samir Mechel
Vice President Finance & Operations, University of Toronto Students' Union
Samir Mechel (he/him) is the Vice-President Finance & Operations of the UTSU, as well as a fifth-year student studying English and Literature & Critical Theory. Before his term at the UTSU, Samir was an activist and student journalist. He is also passionate about increasing student aid, events, and increasing information from student groups to the UTSU and its board.
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Aidan Thompson
Vice President Public & University Affairs, University of Toronto Students' Union
Aidan Thompson (he/him) is the Vice-President Public & University Affairs of the UTSU, as well as a third-year student studying International Relations and English. Before his term as VP PUA, Aidan served as the Vice-President of Mentorship at the International Relations Student Union (IRSOC), as well as filling various EDI/equity, finance, and operational roles across the campus Model UN clubs. Aidan is passionate about advocating for food security on campus, improved mental health services, cutting the cost of commutes to/from campus, and enhanced student housing affordability & availability.
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Elizabeth Shechtman
President, University of Toronto Student Union
Elizabeth Shechtman (she/her) is the President of the UTSU, as well a third-year student studying Economics and Bioethics. Before her term as President, Elizabeth was the VP Student Life, where she hosted Orientation such as the Loud Luxury Concert, Clubs fair and more! She absolutely loved the position and working for the UTSU and decided to stick around for an extra year. She is also super passionate about making campus safer and making sure that students have a good experience on campus both in their academic life and their social life.
Website
Barbershop w/ special guests, the Black Students' Association executive
Sign up for a cut or a fade, or just drop by to play some video games, enjoy some snacks, or chat with other students.
Our October 16 Barbershop features two executive members from the Black Students' Association.
Mozelle Ofori-Atta, the Social Media Director and Sena Gladza, the Political Director, are excited to join the afternoon to hang, chat, and enjoy the vibes!
Special Guests
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Mozelle Ofori-Atta
Social Media Director, Black Students' Association
3rd Year; Majoring in Architectural Studies, Minoring in Spanish
Mozelle was born in Ghana but also lived in the U.S and Qatar before coming to Toronto. She loves to dance, read, film vlogs, take photos, and watch either Barbie or Marvel movies in their free time. Mozelle also loves learning languages and hopes to be a polyglot one day! Once fluent in Spanish, they would like to start learning Korean or one day go back to French.
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Special Guest
Sena Gladza
Political Director, Black Students' Association
4th Year; Majoring in Political Science and Human Geography
Sena is a GTA native, but is originally from Ghana. They have always been really interested in politics and governance in general. Their niche is deconstructing how these things both benefit and harm black communities and then trying not to bring it up in every conversation. Aside from that, they love watching reality TV, doing water activities like Kayaking, and watching anime in my free time. Fun Fact? They used to act as a child and all the way up into high school before they “retired”!
Barbershop w/ Toronto City Councillor Chris Moise
Sign up for a cut or a fade, or just drop by to play some video games, enjoy some snacks, or chat with other students.
Special Guest Host
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Chris Moise
City Councillor
Chris Moise is the City Councillor for Ward 13 - Toronto Centre. Chris has spent over two decades living and working throughout the communities in Ward 13 and is committed to improving safety, transit, housing affordability and social services while fostering equity, fairness and inclusion in all aspects of city life.
Prior to being elected to city council, Chris served as a Toronto District School Board Trustee for six years and an addictions counsellor at St. Michaels Hospital for 22 years. He has been a small business owner for over 17 years and he understands how small businesses contribute to creating vibrant local neighbourhoods.
Chris is currently a member of the following city boards and committees: Board of Health (Chair), Economic & Community Development (Small Business Advocate), Budget Committee, Civic Appointments Committee, Toronto & East York Community Council (Chair), Toronto Transit Commission, 2SLGBTQ+ Advisory Committee (Chair) and the Confronting Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (Chair). Chris is proud to bring his unique perspectives and lived experiences to these bodies and hopes to shape the development of robust policies and city outcomes.
Barbershop w/ the National Society of Black Engineers: U of T Chapter
Join us for the November 13 Barbershop, joined by the executive members from the National Society of Black Engineers: U of T Chapter.
Stylists for 2023-2024
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Geishelle
Stylist
Geishelle is a seasoned hairstylist with a particular focus on braiding, weaves and creating special occasion hairstyles. Born, raised and self-taught in Trinidad; like many Caribbean women, Geishelle started learning how to braid and plait hair from an early age by observing the matriarchs in her family. She has been serving clients in this capacity as well as family and friends for many years and enjoys seeing how a new hairstyle can transform a person’s well being in a positive direction and bring a smile to their face. She has provided braiding services to students at U of T, for performing arts groups and for events and programs hosted by the Jamaica Tourist Board across the city.
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Stylist
Valentine
Valentine, a skilled female barber born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, is the creative force behind the renowned brand "The Valentine Xperience." Armed with a solid foundation from hair school, she embarked on her journey in 2021 to revolutionize the barbering world. With a unique blend of expertise and innovation, Valentine's mastery of the craft continues to captivate clients, providing a unique grooming experience that seamlessly fuses style and artistry.