In the 2002 film, “Barbershop,” the character Eddie calls the barbershop, “The place where a black man means something! Cornerstone of the neighborhood! Our own country club!”

For those who grew up watching chunks of black hair hit the floor as the deep humming of a pair of clippers mowed across the top of their scalps, these words resonate heavily, as they reflect a part of life in black culture.

Now, DeKalb is giving back by making that atmosphere a part of the community with T’s Barber & Braiding Shop.

Located at 138 S. Second St., T’s opened its doors in February 2007 and has had a good start in business.

“The first year we did good, but not a lot of people knew about us,” said Maurice Bugg of Markham, senior industrial technology major and one of the shop‘s three barbers.

With the lack of professional black barber shops in the DeKalb area, T’s prides itself on being there for the people.

“I have clients telling me all the time that this is what they’ve been looking for,” said Lamar Cooper, a Kishwaukee Community College business major from Chicago Heights.

All the young men employed there have been cutting hair since they were in their early adolescent years and are thrilled to be doing their passion professionally.

“It feels good to be able to take a person through the transformation of getting a new haircut,” said Tony Taylor of Chicago’s South Side.

In addition to attending Larry’s Barber College, he is an aspiring rap artist. “As a barber, it’s your responsibility to give that person some newfound self-esteem.”

For women, the beauty shop area may only take up the back end of the building, but it is just as important to the community. There, Janise Jones, a single mother and former Kishwaukee math education major, works as a hair braider and weaver to financially support herself and her son.

Katisha Gardner of Aurora attended NIU for three years as a dance education major and is the shop’s licensed stylist. Though the shop is shared between the men and women, there is not a hint of animosity.

“We all get along really well and the guys really respect us,” said Gardner.

The shop also keeps close ties with the NIU community.

On April 26, T’s employees will be showcasing their craft, as they will be responsible for the hair styles of all individuals featured in SKDG’s Clothing Fashion Show titled “Fashion Ecstasy: The Spring Affair,” which will be at the Convocation Center.