Your neighborhood barbershop is the engine room for any viable community. There you will find experts of all kinds.

That’s what helped to spur me into action two weeks ago to spearhead yet another father and son event.

After making an informal poll among a group of eight men and boys ranging from ages 11 through 55 at a barbershop, I was astounded to find that none of those individuals had a relationship with their fathers.

Another thing that drove me to host boys for dinner on Father’s Day was the sad story I wrote about last Saturday where an absentee dad showed up at his son’s graduation after being away for 13 years.

Even though the rain fell intermittently, that did not deter Federal Way’s fathers and leaders to share their collective thoughts with boys of all ages.

Lamont Styles Sr., owner/manager of Lifestyles Beauty and Barber Shop in Federal Way, is very passionate about the affairs of youths without fathers. He was on hand to give invaluable grooming tips to our boys and even to a few of us grown men. The benevolent man did not just stop there. He promised to give free haircuts to every man and boy in attendance. Now, that is a true leader.

Eric Hunter of Christian Faith Center gave our boys tips in corporate communication: How they should conduct themselves in the workforce, and how they should strive to avoid peer pressures.

Being cool has its place, he said, but often times the coolest guys in high school and college are not necessarily the most productive in the real world.

Ken Snipes, Federal Way father and a Seattle facilities executive, encouraged youths about the pitfalls of showing up unprepared for a job or internship interview. “You can never overdress for an interview,” he told the wide-eyed boys. 

Not to be outdone, Terome Fulmore, a marriage counselor and father of two, showed onlookers how to fold a shirt military style at a 45-degree angle to stay wrinkle free. Most men will gladly adopt that useful tip.

Federal Way City Council candidate Roger Freeman, in a fatherly fashion, spoke to the boys about the legal system.

Meanwhile, Isaac Jones implored us all to stay confident. A sense of abandonment will not take you far, he said. Being assertive in who you are is very key to a boy’s development, he said.

All in all, the food was mouthwatering as usual. Special thanks go to restauranteur Scott Lovrien and his dedicated staff of Chipotle Mexican Grill for hosting us and co-sponsoring this event. We could not have done it without them.

Now you know that it takes a barbershop to cultivate a strong society.