Bravo Brooklyn: 'Big Lew' making a difference one haircut at a time

One barber is making a difference one haircut at a time in Bed-Stuy, but the kids are showing up for much more than just a trim.

News 12 Staff

Jan 23, 2020, 10:48 PM

Updated 1,553 days ago

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One barber is making a difference one haircut at a time in Bed-Stuy, but the kids are showing up for much more than just a trim.
Lewis Ramsey is also known as Big Lew, His profession is cutting hair, and he is the owner of House of Skillz barbershop on Fulton Street in Bed-Stuy.
"I been cutting hair since like 2005," says Ramsey.
On any given afternoon, Ramsey says the barbershop is packed with kids from the neighborhood. However, many of the kids don't come for the games--they just enjoy being around 'Big Lew.'
"I'm just trying to keep them off the streets. If I could open a community center, I would," said Ramsey. 
Ramsey says he wants to give kids a safe space and show them what can happen if they work hard. "It shows them that they can become something that they want to become. They don't have to work for someone else, they can be their own boss," said Ramsey.
Ramsey's efforts go beyond the barbershop, from toy giveaways to homeless shelter visits. He says making others happy is what it's all about.
"I love to make a difference. God sent me here to make a difference. So I'm just doing what I'm supposed to do," said Ramsey.


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