LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The West End School is about to witness a transformative addition — a state-of-the-art barbershop that blends cutting-edge technology, mentorship, and community engagement.

CJ Carter, a master barber and the executive director of Sharp Futures Foundation, is spearheading the project.

“This is not just a barbershop; it’s a space where young men can gain confidence, mentorship, and a sense of purpose," he said.

The facility will feature two barber stations and a fully licensed setup, including a sink and shampoo bowl.

This will be Sharp Futures' third barber shop. Similar setups have already been launched at Newburg Middle School in Louisville and Tates Creek Middle School in Lexington.

While fresh haircuts will be a part of the service, they’re just the beginning.

Carter emphasizes that the project is designed to “build more than just barber shops.” His nonprofit aims to create spaces for mentorship and personal development.

“Here, we’re offering these young men more than a haircut,” Carter said. “This is where their futures are going to be shaped.”

The team behind this space includes local artists and entrepreneurs like Albert Shumake and Patrick Jackson. Shumake, an artist and board member of Sharp Futures, is creating a mural for the barbershop’s wall, inspiring students with messages like “purpose,” “discipline,” and “brotherhood.”

"Art saved me growing up,” Shumake said, and he hopes to share his craft with the next generation.

Jackson, a design studio owner, is teaching students how to use cutting-edge technologies like 3D printing and laser engraving.

He said, “The first day we brought out the 3D printers, you’d think it was Christmas. Their excitement was through the roof.”

For Carter, this is more than just a community project — it’s personal.

“We’re five Black men, entrepreneurs, fathers, godfathers,” he said. “We see the need for intervention in our community, especially with young Black men.”

The barbershop at West End School is his way of offering these students something beyond the classroom: a place to belong and a seat at the table of possibility.

The doors of the new barbershop will officially open on January 6, when students return from the Christmas break. This innovative project marks a new chapter in providing not only fresh fades but also the tools for success and a brighter future for the students of West End School.

"When you pass them that mirror, and you see the smile on their face — that’s what we’re here for," Carter said.

The nonprofit is looking for both mentors and donations. To learn more about Sharp Futures Foundation Inc., click here.

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