In an inspiring showcase of community partnership, Pine Bluff School District’s Broadmoor Elementary School on Monday hosted the Books and Barbers initiative, a program founded by Nikita Richardson-Lowe and her nonprofit, RichKrew Inc.
This special day brought together education and mentorship, transforming the school into a hub of positive engagement where students received free haircuts, selected books to take home and gained a boost to their confidence. The popular initiative is celebrating five years of service while successfully expanding its reach to new schools, affirming its mission to serve children throughout the community.
The program recently moved its host location after four successful years at James Matthews Elementary.
“I started Books and Barber during COVID. This program is special to me, and five years is a big deal,” Richardson-Lowe said. “Books and Barbers isn’t just about haircuts and books; it’s about confidence, literacy, mentorship, and community.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
She said the move to Broadmoor Elementary held personal significance, noting that Assistant Principal Teresa Farver, a longtime supporter of Books and Barbers, showed kindness and support to the organization’s leaders during a recent personal transition, making the event a way to show appreciation while advancing the core mission.
“The event has grown to positively impact students across Pine Bluff,” said Tamika Taylor, a former Matthews assistant principal who has supported the initiative since its first year.
“Books and Barbers bring together two powerful influences in a child’s life … education and mentorship,” Taylor said. “It reinforces the message that learning is valuable and that the community supports their success.”
She went on to say that the fifth year of the event shows commitment and consistency.
“It means the community continues to show up for our youth,” said Taylor. “This milestone represents growth, partnership, and a continued dedication to literacy and positive engagement for Pine Bluff students.”
Under the leadership of Principal Tim Scott and Assistant Principal Teresa Farver, the day was hailed as a tremendous success for the school’s scholars.
“Books and Barbers was an amazing event for our scholars,” said Scott. “This event brought something new and impactful to our school community by helping groom and shape our young male scholars for success. Today was filled with smiles, meaningful conversations, and positive experiences that our scholars will cherish for years to come.”
Farver highlighted the collaborative spirit.
“The first year of the Barbers and Books event at Broadmoor Elementary was a meaningful success, bringing together education, community support, and confidence-building for local students,” she said. “RichKrew’s vision to collaborate with community partners and local schools to support local youth is phenomenal, and we look forward to partnering in the future.”
The heart of the event lies in the volunteer barbers who donate their time and skills, and the partnership with the local library. Elementary student Kingston Brown captured the excitement, saying: “I’m glad my mama signed the paper because I got a haircut. My barber was really nice. He’s really good at cutting hair.”
Barber Jeremy Gray emphasized the deeper meaning behind the scissors. “Books and Barbers means so much because it gives the kids a voice to express themselves without judgment and confidence to face the world,” he said. “When you look better, you feel better, and when you know better, you do better. The education portion provides the knowledge outside of the classroom.”
Fellow barber Foster Richardson has been committed since the beginning. “What Books and Barbers mean to me… I originally came to my first one three years ago, the same day I passed my barbers license exam,” he said. “It means a lot to me when I give the kids a cut. It boosts their confidence and makes them feel like a new person. It also allows me to listen to them and give them some guidance and advice to make good choices in life.”
Other participating barbers echoed this sentiment. “It was an amazing time engaging with the kids. I always enjoy coming out and being a part of these awesome events,” said Quincy Larry.
“As a barber, the shop has always been more than just a place to get a haircut. It’s a place where conversations happen, where young people get advice and where the community comes together,” said barber Jarvis Price. “When a young person walks into the event with a book and gets rewarded with a haircut, it is a wonderful feeling.”
Lawrence Grissom, owner of Fade Factory, declared: “2026 was a great success. I truly enjoyed the opportunity to serve the community and help put smiles on the kids’ faces.”
For young attendees like student Nicholas Dismuke, the experience was memorable. “It was fun. It was fun when he guessed my favorite color. Usually, my mama cuts my hair,” he said.
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System provided free books to encourage students to explore reading beyond the classroom. The library system shared its appreciation on social media.
Library Director Ricky Williams highlighted the program’s alignment with the library’s mission.
“Just knowing that I can use this platform to advance the library’s mission to provide access to information and foster a love of reading, which helps me check a box for one of my goals at the library this year,” he said. “It was also great to see that some students already had a library card, and hopefully, this event will encourage others to get one as well, since they now know the library is more than just books.”
The event drew support from various community partners who recognized the program’s role.
“This is what community looks like. Mrs. Lowe always executes meaningful and impactful initiatives. I can tell by the smiles that the barbers made a lasting impression on the students,” said LaTasha Randle of FBT Bank.
Commeka Goodloe, a therapist with The P.A.T. Center, noted the therapeutic benefit. “I thoroughly enjoyed watching the young men gain confidence and then being able to listen as they briefly discussed their feelings,” she said.
Richardson-Lowe explains that RichKrew Inc. continues its commitment to empowering youths through mentorship, leadership development and life skills education, operating under the mantra: “Five years. Same mission. Greater impact.”
