Black History Facts & Firsts

Come one come all, tis the month dedicated to the people, my people, black people. It's Black History Month, and since it tis we would be remiss if we didn't recognize some firsts and greats amongst black people. 5 days late, but ever thoughtful, and evervescent, shall we, let's.



Today we salute Hanson "Snip" Williams, a hair stylist, artist, and barber for over 38 years. Snip is considered to be one of the first black barbers to cut hair of all races in the Cleveland area. Hanson started his own barbershop in 1979 called Hanson's Handsomery: Hanson will make you handsome. He did alright considering it was a black owned business that didn't run numbers in the basement. However Hanson needed a little more moneys to do it the way he wanted.

One day Hanson, saw an ad on a bus stop in a white neighborhood. The ad read "Help Wanted, experience with scissors and a steady hand necessary." Hanson figured, shit, "what more can I do than what I do now." So he showed up at the address and it appeared to be some type of banquet hall. He goes to the back of the building and there is an older Jewish man back there.

The older man throws barmistfas in the building, but had come down with a case of tremors and arthritis that he couldn't shake, so he needed someone to do the "ribbon cutting." Hanson figured, "What the hell what's another head to cut?" Hence the name Snip. Snip circumsized over 40 young teens that summer, and in doing so earned the trust of the Jewish community. He's been a barber to all races ever since.

So if you are ever in Cleveland and need a cut, come see Snip. And if you are ever in Cleveland and want that hood removed, come see Snip.