In the barbershop, celebrating black history

The buzz of hair clippers and storytelling hung in the air at RC's Universal Tonsorial Parlor on Wednesday morning in Camden, where residents aged 4 to 93 huddled from the rain to celebrate their heritage.

The ninth annual "Black History in the Barber Shop," organized by RC's parlor and Each One Teach Consultants, featured award presentations, a folk hymn sing-along, and visits from Civil War reenactors and the New Jersey chapter of a national motorcycle club - all to encourage intergenerational learning.

The event began in 2003 as an informal exchange, when parlor owner Russell Farmer invited children and staff from the nearby Camden Day Nursery to visit his barbershop on Fifth and Washington Streets.

"The barbershop has always been a focal point in the black community," said Farmer, 72. "If you don't go to church, if you don't go to the bar, you come to the barbershop."

Camden native Alyssa Wilds received this year's "Dream Keeper" award for her work as director of the Camden Day Nursery. Wilds, who grew up in the city's Whitman Park section and graduated from Camden High School in 1990, was recognized for her dedication to the community.

Later, the crowd of about 50 joined in a rendition of "John Brown's Body," a Civil War-era marching song about the abolitionist, as reenactors held up laminated reproductions of the Emancipation Proclamation.

As the formal program continued, Farmer carefully trimmed the neck and sideburns of Carlton Wilson, 58, an RC's Parlor regular and Farmer's childhood next-door neighbor.

Wilson, whose neat crew cut contrasted with Farmer's scholarly gray beard, said the barbershop provided younger, mostly male community members with a forum to connect with Camden's older generations.

"They come in the barbershop," he said, "and they get a sense of who they are."

Wilson wakes at 7 every Saturday morning and walks to the barbershop to "sit and talk about old times." No topic is off limits for conversation, he said, but there is one rule: no foul language.

"We're churchgoing, God-fearing family men," he said.

Loyal customer Pinkney Webster, 93, of Camden, was recognized with a lifetime-achievement award for his 76-year career in the entertainment industry during which he worked with Billie Holiday, Cab Calloway, Count Basie, Stevie Wonder, and Patti LaBelle.

Webster, who first entered show business as a teenager touring with summer carnivals and minstrel shows, achieved fame as an emcee in the Atlantic City variety show circuit, who changed his attire each time he introduced a new act.

"Nat King Cole's emcee put on a new jacket every song," Webster said. "I put on a whole new outfit."

But with each costume change, one theme persisted: the color pink.

"My name is Pinkney, and pink and black were my colors. I had a pink car, pink tails," said Webster, who wore an understated pinstripe suit and pale pink tie. "It was my trademark."