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History Mr. Samuel Harris, a native of Franklin County North Carolina, started Harris Barber College in 1930 in the back of a barbershop located on 124 East Hargett Street, next to what is now the Hamlin Drug Store in downtown Raleigh. Later, the college moved to East Cabarrus Street between Blount and Bloodworth Street. Mr Harris, a seasoned barber, believed that young African American males should possess a skill that would help them improve their economic status and eventually create opportunities where they would not only be employees, but employers. In 1942 a new college was built and the Harris Barber College Family moved to 803 South Blount Street, behind Shaw University, where the school still stand today. The new facility offered opportunities for students to room and board and is thought to be the oldest boarding Barber School in the State. In addition to focusing on the trade of barbering, the school has always emphasized student's spiritual lives and their civic responsibilities. Mr. Harris was not just the owner of the Barber College, but of other barbershops throughout Raleigh and in Fort Bragg. However, the shortage of good managers left Mr. Harris no choice but to discontinue the shops. He then focused solely on the Barber College continuing with his effort to insure that quality education was being offered. In 1947 Mr. Harris died and his wife, Mrs. Vivian Harris, stopped teaching to continue to operate the college. Mrs. Harris later married Mr. A. E. Brown who joined in and offered inspirational messages to students during the instruction day. Mrs. Harris Brown later retired in the early 1970's Down through the years, some of the reliable managers and instructors that assisted the Harris Family in running an efficient school were Mr. George K. Lynch, Mr. John Clay, Mr. Joseph I. Stredwick, Mr. Wyatt Cumbo, Reverend C. R. Stone and Mr. Tobias McLean. Today, the Barber College is still standing tall on top of a hill with open doors ready to serve the community. Mr. Tobias McLean is managing the school along with the instructing assistance of Rev. C. R. Stone, who started instructing at the college in 1967. The Harris Barber College, now with a diverse student body of both men and women, continues to be a positive force in our community teaching both barbering skills and personal values for life's success. |