Cutting Hair and Saving Lives: Urban Kutz Serves Its Community with Purpose
For Waverly Willis, a haircut is more than a service. It is an opportunity to strengthen the health and well-being of his community.
As the owner of Urban Kutz Barbershop in Cleveland, Willis began noticing a troubling pattern. Too many of his clients were facing serious health challenges related to high blood pressure and hypertension. Determined to make a difference, he started offering free blood pressure screenings in his barbershop, transforming a familiar community gathering place into a trusted access point for health education and preventive care.
His commitment grew into the creation of the Urban Barber Association, a network of barbershops and salons throughout the Black community that provides educational programming and conducts more than 1,000 blood pressure screenings each month. Through a partnership with the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers Initiative, clients who need follow-up care are connected to local clinics and healthcare providers. Today, self-service blood pressure monitoring stations can be found in more than a dozen Cleveland-area barbershops.
Beyond health advocacy, Willis is dedicated to mentoring the next generation. He regularly visits juvenile detention centers, providing haircuts, encouragement, and life lessons inspired by his own experiences overcoming adversity.
In 2016, Willis turned to Cleveland’s Capital Access Program to support the growth of his business. Through the program, he received a business loan that helped finance the purchase of the building that now houses Urban Kutz. He also benefited from coaching and technical assistance services, including support with Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification, QuickBooks training, branding, marketing strategies, and financial planning.
The resources and guidance provided through the program helped position Urban Kutz for sustainable growth while expanding its impact on the community. Ten years later, Willis continues to lead with purpose, proving that entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool for improving lives and strengthening neighborhoods.
Today, Urban Kutz stands as more than a barbershop. It is a community hub where health, mentorship, and opportunity come together, one haircut at a time.
ResultThrough support from Cleveland’s Capital Access Program, Urban Kutz secured financing to purchase its business property, strengthening the long-term stability of the company and positioning it for growth. Business coaching, MBE certification assistance, QuickBooks training, marketing support, and financial planning services helped enhance operations and expand capacity. Today, Urban Kutz serves as both a successful small business and a community resource, providing more than 1,000 blood pressure screenings each month through its health initiative network while continuing to mentor local youth and connect residents to critical healthcare services. Ten years after receiving assistance, the business remains a thriving community anchor dedicated to improving health outcomes and creating positive impact throughout Cleveland.