In this episode, we sit down with Harlan Bivens, a Detroit community leader and activist, to discuss his impactful work through initiatives like the Better Detroit Youth Movement and his unique “Care from Behind the Chair” approach in the barbershop. Harlan shares how his roles as a mentor, entrepreneur, and caregiver intertwine to uplift his community and support both youth and elders.
Tune in to Episode 27 as hosts Kristie King and Antonia Harbin Lamb welcome Harlan Bivens, the visionary behind the Better Detroit Youth Movement and owner of Jay’s Fades. Harlan discusses how his work as a barber, mentor, and community leader positively influences the lives of Detroit residents, especially through his approach to caregiving. The conversation highlights his nonprofit work, the value of community involvement, and his personal experience caring for his parents.
Key topics include:
Connect with Harlan Bivens and learn more about his work:
For more resources and support:
[INTRO MUSIC FADE IN]
Antonia: [00:00:00] Welcome back to Caregiver Conversations, where we explore the heart of caregiving through real stories and professional insights. I’m Antonia Harbin Lamb, a staff attorney with the Elder Law and Advocacy Center, a division of Neighborhood Legal Services, Michigan.
Kristie: And I’m Kristie King, executive director of the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative. We’re thrilled to have Mr. Harlan Bivens with us today, a man whose roles span public speaking, community activism, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and being a family man, all dedicated to enhancing the lives of Detroit residents.
Antonia: Harlan, it’s great to have you here to share how your diverse roles impact caregiving in our community. Welcome to the show.
Harlan: Oh, thank you guys for having me. It’s a truly lovely space. I know the listeners don’t get to see some of the great things happening here, and just the energy.
Kristie: Absolutely, it makes our job a little bit easier having these conversations. Being able to look around and see the beautiful artwork on the wall helps too.
Harlan: I really appreciate it. And Miranda did a fantastic job guiding me in.
Kristie: Great! I’m glad she’ll hear that. Thank you, Miranda. You’re out there in radio land somewhere—thank you.
Harlan: Yes.
Kristie: So, I had a conversation with one of our community providers, Detroit Area Agency on Aging.
Harlan: Yeah, Laura. Yeah, Mr. Reddick.
Kristie: Yes! We were talking about getting some caregiver stories in here, and the first person she mentioned was you.
Harlan: Oh wow.
Kristie: She spoke about your greatness, and we’re excited to hear more about your life dedicated to service and care.
Harlan: Absolutely.
Kristie: You’re known for your work with Jay’s Fades and the Better Detroit Youth Movement. Can you talk about that initiative and how it came to be?
Harlan: Sure. I’ll give you a little bit of an origin story. This amazing African American boy grew up on Mac and Bewick on the east side of Detroit—the kind of place where people aren’t expected to make it. But the big man upstairs carved a path, and I graduated high school from NB Technical and Preparatory High School. I went on to barber college, opened my salon, and I’ve been on Livernois, just north of Six Mile, for nearly 19 years.
Kristie: Avenue of Fashion!
Harlan: Watch out now! Watch out now. On May 31, 2008, we started a nonprofit called the Better Detroit Youth Movement. Our focus was developing and committing to causing change. Our first event was the Living Peace Art Party, promoting living in peace instead of rest in peace while highlighting all genres of art. Over the years, we’ve given out roughly $20 to $40 million in scholarship funds and have built a robust body of work. We’ve even had young people write into the Charter Commission for the City of Detroit, which is changing history. We’ve created community advisory councils that give youth a voice at the city council level. Our mission is to uplift the quality of life and learning for Detroit’s children through students, parents, schools, and service providers.
Kristie: Being a barber and owning a salon, how do you get your barbers and beauticians involved in this work?
Harlan: We have a process called Care From Behind the Chair. We take gossip and certain information and shift the dynamics of how we operate. We have a national forum called “The Whys” based on African principles, where young people, community partners, and clients can join us in a circle, submit topics anonymously, and have deep conversations. We’ve found this approach helps break down psychological barriers people carry. It’s indirect, but it works. You see these moments of clarity, these “aha” moments, and it’s powerful.
Kristie: That impact must extend beyond your clients and youth to your team as well, right?
Harlan: Absolutely. We have training processes built in, including meditation and emotional check-ins. Barbershops and salons are the core of the community—pastors, preachers, and everyone in between come through, and we leave titles at the door.
Antonia: I love that sense of community at the barbershop and salon. This sounds like a movement. Harlan, what motivated you to start these initiatives, and how do they function as forms of caregiving in the community?
Harlan: When we talk about caregiving, I think it’s about using sharper tools to help those who don’t have access. We’ve done work with both the elderly and the youth. Helping youth indirectly helps the elderly, especially in cases where grandparents are raising multiple grandchildren. We co-facilitate those processes. Caregiving for me has always been personal before professional.
Kristie: You mentioned how being family-oriented informs your community work. How has caregiving on a personal level shaped your outlook?
Harlan: Family has always been core for me. Caregiving has always been personal. It’s about showing up for loved ones. I’ve seen moments where my parents seem younger when we talk—it’s like it unlocks something within them, gives them more life.
Kristie: That connection is so powerful. How do you balance personal caregiving with your community roles?
Harlan: It’s challenging. My mom is in a nursing facility now, and my dad is starting to experience dementia. I see how caregiving can be both rewarding and exhausting, especially when family support is minimal. You feel the weight of it, but there’s also pride in stepping up.
Antonia: Caregiving can be isolating, especially when family doesn’t step in. How do you handle that?
Harlan: It’s tough. Sometimes you feel like you’re alone in it. But I’ve learned to ask for help, even if it’s hard. The strength people see in me sometimes stops them from offering help, but I’ve learned to be vocal about what I need.
Kristie: It’s a gift to be able to care for your loved ones, even when it’s difficult. The experience itself is a blessing, and it’s okay to ask for help.
Antonia: Absolutely. Being able to provide that care is something to be thankful for.
Kristie: Shifting back to your community work, you’ve done some fascinating mini-documentaries capturing the wisdom of elders. Can you tell us more about that?
Harlan: We did a Million Father March, a national initiative in over 700 cities to get men actively involved on the first day of school. It had incredible effects—engaged fathers kept coming back, and it reduced gang recruitment and inappropriate behavior. That inspired me to start documenting conversations with my dad and others, and it grew from there. We began recording more of these discussions, capturing wisdom and bridging generational gaps.
Kristie: It sounds like those conversations were very organic. Did people come to you wanting to tell their stories?
Harlan: Yes, it started small, but it grew naturally. Over the years, the work has evolved into a blend of personal, professional, and community initiatives.
Antonia: It’s powerful to see how these documentaries act as bridges between generations, preserving valuable life lessons.
Harlan: Absolutely. Sharing stories helps people connect and learn from one another.
Kristie: Give us a sneak peek into your future projects or expansions.
Harlan: We’re working on a lot. We have the Better Detroit Brownie Company and are involved in LinkedIn Local Detroit, where we bring online connections into the real world for networking. We have live events, and I’m always open to partnerships that align with our mission.
Antonia: This has been a great conversation. Thank you for sharing your journey, Harlan.
Kristie: Harlan, where can listeners find more information about you and your work?
Harlan: You can contact my assistant, Ms. Watson, at (313) 460-6638, or visit betterdetroityouth.org and betterdetroitbrownies.com. You can also find us on Livernois, just north of Six Mile, at 17178 Livernois, between Greg’s Pizza and Little Caesars.
Antonia: Thank you, Harlan, for sharing your inspiring journey with us. And thank you to our listeners for tuning in.
Kristie: To our listeners, thank you for joining us on this episode of Caregiver Conversations. Be sure to subscribe and download the podcast on your favorite platform to stay updated on future episodes. Join us next time as we continue to explore important topics in caregiving and senior support. Stay connected with us on social media and share your caregiving stories. For more resources and support, visit the Southeast Michigan Senior Regional Collaborative at www.semisrc.org or call us at (888) 341-8593.
Antonia: You can also reach out to the Elder Law and Advocacy Center at (313) 937-8291, and you can find us on Facebook as well.
Kristie & Antonia: Until next time, take care and keep caring.