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Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •Januar y 7, 2021
WavyKid Kev: Full Time Teen Barber is a Cut Above the Rest! By Sheldon Anderson
H
igh school seniors face a wave of emotions and COVID-19 makes matters worse. But 17-year-old Kevin Northington - popularly known as ”WavyKid Kev” knows a lot about waves - as in “hair” that is! He also knows a lot about focus and determination. Currently an honor student at Burgard High School, basketball team captain, and viral well known Youtube sensation, Kevin is one of the youngest and hottest barbers in WNY. He is also a member of the Raising a Mogul Community and a brand ambassador for companies like 3 Kings Merch & Swagga Hair Care just to name a few. When former President Barack Obama was featured in a famous photo titled “Hair Like Mine,” it showed a five-year-old Black boy touching President Obamas hair, proving that hair can send a powerful message. “I am aware about the
Kevin Northington / Photo Blanc Photographie
false perceptions people may have about waves, and I am working to change that narrative,” said Northington, a full-time barber at Al’s Unisex Hair Design at 1849 Genesse Street where he currently works under owner Al Parks. The waves hairstyle for Black men and women uses curls to highlight the spiral around the head. Waves, he explains, takes patience, planning, and persistence. Kevin has all three covered.
Black men enjoy a variety of hairstyles from short cuts to twists and dreads. Waves is one of the most popular. He shared that he was always eager to learn, from Pre-K all the way through 8th grade. He grew up in Buffalo, attended school in South Buffalo, and was well aware that he was in the minority as he struggled to connect with his fellow students. His father Anthony Collins provided him with guidance and
Blanc Photographie
The Community’s Portrait & Event Photographer. 716.319.8979 • Facebook: Blanc Photographie • Instagram: @blanc_photographie
love during this tough time. After frustrations with his hairstyle, Kevin wanted to make a change, “When I was 12 years old I had a Mohawk and wanted to work on getting waves so I got a short haircut,” he said. His two brothers Alex Collins and Anthony Collins Jr., encouraged him to follow his passion. With support and a family willing to allow him to train on their heads, Kevin started learning about different hairstyles and hair cutting techniques. “I got better cutting my own hair, so I started on my brother and dad, and kept focusing on my waves," he said. At 14 years old he was on track to be a self-taught barber. He researched what tools he would need and asked his mom to buy him clippers. “I got an Oster Fast Feed and a corded T Outliner,” he said. Due to good maintenance and persistence Kevin still uses the same clippers. Meanwhile he worked on his waves nonstop, brushing and wearing a do-rag, in an effort to improve the quality. After building his confidence, Kevin wanted to showcase his talent and started his own social media pages : YouTube (Wavy Kid Kev) – Instagram (WAVYKID_KEV) – Facebook (KUTSBYKEVLLC). Kevin earned a NYS barbers license within two weeks of turning seventeen. He obtained a drivers license and bought his own car in order to keep up with his steady list of clients. As a high school senior, he understands that COVID-19 has created a unique senior year experience that no one could have predicted. Kevin continues to focus on his goals. COVID-19 delayed an event he planned through his nonprofit “Waving Hope to my Community” - where barbers and youth could celebrate waves and unique hairstyles in a positive safe space. He hasn’t given up on the idea. Waving Hope also partnered with Kuts by Kev LLC for its support for their 1st annual Holiday Toy Giveaway. He founded “Waving Continued Page 12
"Coming 2 America" The trailer for “Coming 2 America,” which is due out next spring is hilarious. We love Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall in this sequel. It’s been 22 years since the first film and well worth the wait. Studios will exclusively release “Coming 2 America” globally on Prime Video March 5th, 2021.Based on characters created by Eddie Murphy.Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley, Wesley Snipes James Earl Jones. John Amos and more.
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