Walk through the front door of Halftime Sports Barbershop and you’ve arrived at a Vikings fan’s home away from home. Between the gridiron-painted floor and wall-to-wall purple and gold decor, it’s obvious the space is designed for sports lovers.
And then you’ll notice everything else: a warm smile from the barber, a toy area for children, chill music filling the room – not your typical barber shop. According to Halftime Sports Barbershop owner, Mitchell Mack, that’s also by design.
“We want moms to be able to bring their kids in without worrying about being disrespected or flirted with,” said Mitchell. “We don't play gangster rap music. We have a professional atmosphere. We respect women. We want this to be a family-friendly, kid-friendly, safe barbershop.”
From incarceration to inspiration
Mitchell’s life trajectory helped shape his desire to mentor youth in his community. He moved from Chicago to Minneapolis in 1996 as a “20-something year-old knucklehead and wound up paying for it,” Mitchell explained.
He spent a decade in federal prison, from 2000 to 2010. During that time, he missed several loved one’s funerals and developed an estranged relationship with his children. “Those things made me say, ‘I'll never come back. I can't do anybody any good incarcerated.’”
And for the past 15 years, Mitchell has demonstrated his desire to do good, right in his community where he opened Halftime Sports Barbershop on the corner of Glenwood and Morgan Avenues North in Minneapolis.
“If I can be a mentor – or an inspiration to young Black men that you can turn your life around and have a business legitimately, with hard work – I’m all for that,” Mitchell said. "Instant gratification from fast money is never worth it. It's never worth the time you get.”
A cut above: supporting academic success
Right now, Halftime Sports is offering free haircuts to students who are excelling in school. “We felt like once a year, during back to school, wasn't enough to give back to the community, so we’ve been running our Honor Roll haircut program, all school year long," Mitchell said. “Kids need that motivation, that pat on the back to say, 'Keep going, you're on the right track.'"
And when the school year ends, Halftime Sports will be running a Welcome to Summer free haircuts promotion for kids.
"Being kid friendly was very intentional," said Mitchell. "I felt like they needed to see someone who looks like them open a business in their neighborhood. They needed to see it up close and personal."
Donate a haircut
If you’d like to contribute to Mitchell's mission to provide free haircuts year round, consider making a donation. "Kid haircuts are normally 25 bucks, but we've been giving them out free," he said. "I'd like to give my barbers something for their time and talent, so any help the community can offer is appreciated."
Donate via Cash App $halftimebarbers
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