AUSTIN, Texas — A Black-owned barbershop in Austin is offering much more than just haircuts.
Like the name suggests, the owner of The Connect ATX, Carlos Smith, said it was important to him that his shop became a safe space for people to gather.
He said he takes after his dad, who was a coach but also played an active part in the community while he was growing up in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I think as far as like, the Black community, there’s not a lot of like Black-owned barbershops out here in Austin, per se,” Smith said. “So, just being able to have our own space that, you know, we could come and talk, and feel comfortable and feel invited and welcome – yeah, I do feel like Austin needed that.”
Over the last three years, Smith said the shop has become a space to connect people to resources, like offering opportunities for mentorship, talking about men’s health and hosting back-to-school events for kids.
Now The Connect ATX is also connecting youth in the community to the basketball court.
A few years ago, Smith said his son became interested in playing basketball. Being a former athlete himself, Smith said he thought making a club for other kids his son’s age could be another way to give back.
“You don’t know what these kids are going through outside of school. They gotta have a scapegoat,” he said. “It’s hard for, you know, single parents or single moms to be able to afford their kids or a child to play at a high level because of resources, So like, we’re just trying to, you know, bridge that gap and be that program that can have that helping hand.”
In 2021, Smith and his wife created Connect ATX Elite, a nonprofit competitive basketball club. He said now, they have 50 kids in the club whose ages range from 11 to 16. The kids compete in tournaments and even travel across the state to play games.
Not only does the club give kids the space to get better at a sport, but Smith also said it gives them tools to be successful in life through teamwork, communication and following directions.
He said he sees the impact it makes on the kids every day.
“You could just see it in the kids, where they’re smiling, a lot more communicative, kids’ grades are becoming better, you know? So like, I just feel like we’re helping the kids become all around better people, better young men,” Smith said.
Smith said Connect ATX Elite is in the process of finding their own practice space. Money to fund the team comes from the barbershop, parents and donors.
If you’d like to help Connect ATX Elite find a permanent home, you can connect with the team on their website.