A Second Change - Two Barbers, One God

A SECOND CHANCE - TWO BARBERS, ONE GOD

by TARI COX, M.A.

His thoughts aren’t our thoughts, His ways aren’t our ways.” When standing in the eye of unforeseensoothe despair, tragedy, some may find themselvesclinging to this paraphrased version of Isaiah 55:8–9.

They may also find themselves jubilantly professing thesewords as their heart rests on a fulfilled promise that finallycame to pass, realizing that God hasn’t forgotten them,even if their minds deceived them into thinking so, just fora moment.

The truth is, our ability to comprehend the supremepower of God to restore or redeem a situation can castonly a shadow of accuracy. And we have a finite ability tothink of the possibilities of outcomes that He may craftusing the unique details of our stories.

However, after over two decades of separation following atragic incident that changed their lives forever, two men ofLancaster, Pennsylvania, came to further understand theveracity of this promise: His ways are so much higher andgreater than we can ever hope to imagine.

Ricardo “Richie Razors” Cruz and Tyrik “Joel” Jacksonmet in their early adolescent years in a group known asSFC (Skaters for Christ), a Bible study led by Tyrikhimself. Specifically, Richie was intrigued by theskateboarding component of SFC and became acquaintedwith its members, but only for a brief period of time.

In his efforts to gain their acceptance, Richie stole acutting-edge skateboard that they were admiring at a localskate shop. He was later confronted about his behaviorafter revealing the skateboard to others, including Tyrik.

“When we get back to my house, Richie pulls theskateboard out, and he’s like, ‘Look what I got.’ And Ilook at it, and I’m like, ‘Man, how did you get that?’ Hesaid, ‘What you mean?’”—Tyrik

“And so it was like, I knew you guys wanted it, so Ibrought it to you. Now, who wants it?” —Richie

After accepting an agreement offered by Tyrik to returnthe skateboard in exchange for a bicycle, Richie was facedwith a decision that would lead to the end of his time notonly the skateboard in exchange for a bicycle, Richie was

faced with a decision that would lead to the end of his time not only with SFC, but with many others for a while as well.

“I said, ‘So you’ve got to make a decision. You’re going to hang with us or you’re not.’ And we ended up trading a skateboard for a bicycle that I wasn’t riding anymore. And we didn’t see him. So it’s kind of like he made his decision...” —Tyrik

Richie became acquainted with another group after the cessation of his attendance at SFC. And a few weeks later, Tyrik stumbled across the tragic news that Richie was involved in a fatal shooting, costing the life of a young woman.

“I was only 12 at the time … and this group was the complete opposite of Tyrik's group. And I came into that group and again, a point came where I did something to try to prove my worth to this group ... I went with them to resolve the problem that they were having. And unfortunately, someone was accidentally shot and killed. I had absolutely nothing to do with it.” —Richie

Richie was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole at the age of 13. And in the early part of his sentence, he took every advantage to educate himself by way of courses and certificates, keeping in mind he would spend the remainder of his life there.

Burdened with guilt from his and Richie’s last interaction that required Richie to make a choice, Tyrik pondered on the possibility that he could have saved him. Therefore, he channeled his regretful thoughts into using his mentorship skills for the future of adolescents and sharing the significance of choices.

Both Richie and Tyrik turned their experiences into resilience and a greater means of service to others. And further for Tyrik, he discovered his passion for barbering during this segment of his life.

He was introduced to the barbershop atmosphere one evening after receiving the kind gesture of a man who offered him a ride home after his high school talent show. To express his gratitude, Tyrik paid weekly visits to the shop and assisted with cleaning, eventually receiving haircuts for his help. After exploring diverse hobbies, he posed to himself,

"Why don’t I just start cutting hair?”

During these years, Tyrik also ceaselessly asked about Richie each time he encountered one of his family members, including Richie’s mother, “Cookie.” But there came a day when, rather than receiving the usual response confirming his message would be relayed, he was informed that Richie was finally free.

“She goes, ‘No, honey, no. There was a Supreme Court thing, and they made a decision that it was wrong for kids to go to jail.’” —Tyrik

In 2012, via Miller vs. Alabama, the Supreme Court ruled that it was cruel and unusual punishment to sentence anyone under the age of 18 to life without parole. Several years later, the state of Pennsylvania adopted this law, resulting in Richie’s release.

“The judge was saying, ‘No, this is the youngest person in the country that has ever been sentenced to life in prison. We’ve never done that to anyone.’” —Richie

Richie was released from prison in 2017. And though no longer behind bars, he faced multiple barriers that eventually worked out divinely for his favor. He was released with stipulations, such as being forbidden to return to Lancaster, where his family lived and where the crime occurred. He also wasn’t equipped with the necessary work and survival skills to rebuild his new life. Yet Richie maintained a positive state of mind, trusting God’s ways.

“He wasn’t taking away my support system. He was giving me one.” —Richie

These restrictions led him to pursue a livelihood with his now wife, Amanda, but also led to financial strain that ultimately led him to his career.

“Nothing that I was educated in was something that was available to me as someone who has a record. So I had to take the less desirable jobs.” —Richie

After Richie passively labored day to day — with cleaning companies to moving companies, and all financially insufficient — Richie’s wife, Amanda, encouraged him not to return to work but instead to pursue barber school, given his talent acquired while in prison.

“I got really good at it to the point where people were actually paying me to cut their hair with a razor and a come instead of going to the barbershop … She [Amanda]

was like, ‘Well, as much as you cut your hair, maybe you should go to barber school and become a barber.’ And I was like, ‘Why not?’ —Richie

With the help of his wife and three different schools in mind, Richie applied to Premiere Barber Institute in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He was accepted into this prestigious barber school where he’d find more than just an avenue to grow his gifts.

After being informed that he would no longer have to delay his start day to the following semester, Richie received the help of Dan, Tyrik’s business partner. Arriving on the scene, Richie unknowingly greeted Tyrik, mistaking him for Dan. And as time had passed and familiarity was no longer an agent of memory for either of them, Dan would become the connecting piece for them both.

“I honestly walked into that barber school and shook his hand and didn’t know who he was.” —Richie

They awaited the reunion of a lifetime as Tyrik realized just who Richie actually was. Richie, assuming he was summoned by the institution’s owner to be expelled from school, was greeted by questions that only a person would know to ask if they knew him all along.

“He’s like, ‘Is your name Richie?’ And I’m like, ‘Yes.’ And he’s like, Your mom’s name is Cookie? And I was like, ‘Whoa. That’s not on my application …’” —Richie

“I thought I would never see him again. Ever.” —Tyrik

The two shared an emotion-filled, unforgettable moment, in full astonishment of the miracle God had performed; they had both received a second chance.

“I spent 26 years asking God for a second chance … one chance just to prove that I’m not that person.” \ —Richie

Receiving the instruction of successful business owner Tyrik “Joel” Jackson at Premiere Barber Institute, Richie had his first barbershop established before he graduated. And today, Tyrik and Richie are both successful in the barber industry.

“I traveled all over the world teaching the art of barbering and the business of barbering, and then ultimately fulfilled my dream in 2014 to open up a barber school, which eventually brought Richie back into my life.” —Tyrik

Tyrik Jackson

School Owner - Premier Barber Institute

Ricardo "Richie" Cruze

Owner - Richie Razorz Barbershop

“God gave me a certain platform, and that platform He gave me is called the barbershop.” —Richie

They delight in sharing their story of how Goddivinely reconnected them, often reliving theemotions while testifying of what He restored.Embodying a story of hope, trust, and a secondchance, Tyrik and Richie look forward tocontinuing to share their miracle with theworld.

“Everything doesn’t happen the way you want it to happen, [but the key is] … accepting that it happens the way it’s supposed to happen.” —Richie