Business

Black Business Spotlight: Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN-RECORDER — For the past decade or so, Teto Wilson’s barbershop has served as a Northside staple for not just a good haircut, but also as a place for gathering, good times, and even accessing community resources.

Published

7 years ago

March 27, 2019

Oakland Post

Teto Wilson (Submitted Photo)

By Stephenetta (isis) Harmo

For the past decade or so, Teto Wilson’s barbershop has served as a Northside staple for not just a good haircut, but also as a place for gathering, good times, and even accessing community resources.

After graduating from barber school in Malden, Mass., Wilson, an Illinois native, made his next move to Minnesota in 2000. Here he worked with a friend and fellow student and went on to open Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists in August 2007.

Since then, he has connected his passion for people with behind-the-chair therapy to become a prominent voice in the community. “When you come into my shop, it’s more than just a haircut,” said Wilson.

The MSR caught up with Wilson to talk about what it takes to prepare for entrepreneurship and how he combined his two passions to benefit the community.

MSR: What made you decide to open your own shop?

Teto Wilson: When I think back on the things that I did to generate money as a youngster, I’ve always kind of had, like, an entrepreneurial spirit. So, I knew eventually I was going to open up my own shop.

When I came to Minnesota, I worked with a lifelong friend of mine at his shop for seven years. It gave me an opportunity to get to know Minnesota. I built up a lot of clientele, but I knew that wasn’t going to be it for me to just stay working in their shop.

Around the fourth or fifth year, in my mind I was ready. But I hadn’t done things to get myself in position to do it. So I started planning. I started saving money, thinking about locations and how I wanted my business model to be structured. So, it took me a few years after I put it in my mind that it was going to happen.

MSR: What was that opening process like? What were some of your challenges?

TW: Even though I had been here for a few years, I didn’t know who’d be willing to take a chance to come and work with me as a start-up business owner. So, I took my time. Challenges were more making sure I chose the right location and that I had gained enough understanding from working under other barbershop owners of how [the business] actually works, taking what I learned from them and getting all the good that I saw from them and then bringing it into my own and doing things my own way. And getting the right people to work for me.

Also, we always talk about “buy Black” and “shop Black.” Well, you have to support Black. I give good service in a clean, safe environment at a fair price. So, just treat me like you would treat another establishment. You go in, you get what you want, you pay the price.

MSR: What’s one thing you would tell someone else who wants to launch their own business?

TW: I would tell them the same thing as some of the challenges that presented for me, [such as the importance of] location. If you have your own money, then that’s great. If you have to do financing, don’t get in over your head. You have to do your day-to-day management; you have bills, utilities. If you bought a building or if you’re renting, you have a lot of expenses that go with that. Just make sure you plan it out and don’t, don’t just go out there and say, “Hey, I want to open up a business” and throw caution to the wind hoping that it works. You have to be strategic about it.

MSR: What do you think makes a haircut experience in your shop so special?

TW: When people think of barbers and stylists as kind of like their therapist, I think about it as like we are working on their head and that’s how we end up getting in their head, whether it’s 30 minutes for a haircut or with women who can be in the shop for hours. That’s a real intimate time, so people like to share things that are important to them. For me, it’s a listening to what they got going on and making sure that I keep that personal.

Beyond that, it’s having a great haircut and listening and giving your customer what they’re asking for. If you can’t do it, maybe send them to another barber that can… Building relationships — it feels good, you get a great haircut, and you build a relationship with your customer, laugh and talk with them about some things that are important.

MSR: Outside of cutting hair, you have a scholarship fund, host community events. Why is that important for you?

TW: I’ve been cutting hair with a license now for about 25 years. But my passion — as much as I love to cut hair — is not cutting hair. My passion is community and being able to connect with people.

Being a barbershop owner and having my barbershop right in North Minneapolis gives me a space where I can connect with community. I look at the barbershop as a community resource hub. There’s a space in my shop called the situation room, and I designed it just like a round table. We have a lot of events where it could be conversations with the Minneapolis Public Schools superintendent…or with the Minneapolis chief of police and the newly elected Hennepin County sheriff.

Whether it’s around education, police and community relations, whatever it is that we can host here where people can gain from it, that’s what’s important to me. And having the parties and stuff like that, that’s a fun time, a way to give back, too.

MSR: What does success look like for you?

TW: When we’re all winning. I’m going to continue to grow and get in these spaces where I can connect and go to bat for our community. I also go to other spaces where I can gain for us, [and] I can bring it back so we can benefit from it.

The haircutting thing is down pat, you know what I mean? I’ve been doing that for years. But just making sure that our community continues to get what they need — that’s what success is for me.

Wilson’s Image Barbers & Stylists is located at 2201 W Broadway Ave. in North Minneapolis. From April 1 through June 30, MSR readers can mention this article for $5 off adult and kids hair cuts. For more info, visit wilsonsimage.com.

This article originally appeared in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

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Activism

The Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Hold Day of Advocacy at the Capitol in Sacramento

A member of the “Divine Nine,” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The organization was established by 22 women who sought to shift the group’s focus from social activities to public service, academic excellence, and social activism.

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro) presents a Senate resolution to the Delta Theta Sigma Sorority Farwest Region at the State Capitol on May 4. Photo courtesy of the Senate Rules Committee.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

On May 4, members of the Farwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., convened at the California State Capitol for the organization’s 23rd annual Delta Days in Sacramento.

The two-day advocacy event brings together chapters from across California to engage directly in the legislative process, connect with lawmakers, and advocate for policies impacting Black communities.

Members of the sorority were honored on the Senate floor by Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro), who is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Richardson welcomed the Farwest Region during the presentation of a Senate resolution recognizing outgoing Regional Director Kimberly Usher for her leadership and service.

“In addition to the Far West Region, we are led by a fearless leader, regional director Kimberly Usher. She has now served her full term of what’s allowed,” Richardson said. “We are going to be having our regional conference, but we wanted to give it to her here, officially recognizing her service.”

The resolution was co-authored by Richardson and fellow members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and Delta Sigma Theta, Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

Usher has served in the leadership role since 2022.

“We are founded on sisterhood that is deeply rooted in scholarship, service, and social action,” said Weber Pierson, a member of the Gamma Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

“Today, we continue a legacy of empowering communities and upholding the high cultural, intellectual, and moral standards established by our founders over a century ago,” she added.

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Bay Area

How Is AI Affecting California? The State Wants You to Share Your Story

The program marks the first time the state has opened the platform to all Californians. State officials said the effort is designed to give residents a direct role in discussions about how AI should be regulated and used as the technology rapidly expands across industries.

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced May 7 that California is expanding its Engaged California digital democracy initiative statewide, inviting residents to help shape future state policies on artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on jobs and the economy.

“We’ve got to be clear-eyed about this moment: AI is moving fast, bringing enormous opportunity, but also real risks,” Newsom said in a statement. “Californians deserve a seat at the table as we shape what’s to come.”

The initiative will roll out in two phases. Beginning immediately, Californians can sign up online to share how AI is affecting their work and communities and provide ideas for possible government action. Later this summer, a smaller group reflecting the state’s workforce demographics will participate in live discussions focused on developing policy recommendations.

State officials said the goal is to identify areas of agreement among Californians and provide policymakers with public feedback as the state develops future AI regulations and workforce strategies.

Engaged California is modeled after digital democracy programs used in Taiwan and is intended to encourage structured public discussion rather than social media-style debate. Officials described the effort as a form of “deliberative democracy” aimed at helping residents engage directly in state decision-making.

“The more Californians are engaged in the democratic process, the better able we’ll be to confront the challenges we face together,” said Nick Maduros, California Secretary of Government Operations, in a statement.

The statewide launch builds on two earlier pilot programs. One pilot gathered public input following the Los Angeles firestorms to help guide recovery efforts, while another collected ideas from state employees about improving government operations.

California has positioned itself as a national leader in AI policy and development. Since 2023, the Newsom administration has introduced initiatives focused on responsible AI use in government, cybersecurity protections, workforce training and regulations targeting risks such as deepfakes and AI-generated robocalls.

The state has also partnered with companies in Silicon Valley — including NVIDIA, Google, Adobe, IBM and Microsoft — to expand AI education and workforce training programs across California schools and universities.

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Advice

Book Review: Books for College-Bound Students

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and these books will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be.

Published

3 days ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Book covers. Photo courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer.

By Terri Schlichenmeyer

Authors: Various, Copyright: c.2026, Publishers: Various, SRP: $21.00 – $29.00, Page Counts: Various

The videos and news reports were inspiring.

In them, a hesitant prospective college student became a happy, new college-bound student with the click of a key. They were accepted into the college of their dreams – so how can you get the same feeling next spring, when you’re the one with the highest of hopes?

You can start by reading these great books and sharing them with your family…

You probably already know that getting into the college of your choice is not something you do last-minute. In “The People’s Guide to College Applications: A Week-by-Week Approach to Writing, Connecting, and Getting in” (Prometheus Books, $ 21.95), Jill Constantino takes you through each step, but not in a frantic way. There’s no pressure here, just easy-to-grasp, makes-sense methods to apply for the college you want. There are reminders here, things you can’t forget and things you can, hints on asking for referrals and writing essays, and plenty of reminders to take a deep breath. Bonus: it’s also a book for parents, who may feel just as much pressure as their child does.

Okay, but let’s say that you’re an adult, a parent who’s sweating those college applications, classes, and the FAFSA for yourself, ugh! Then you’ll want to read “Student Parent: The Fight for Families, the Cost of Poverty, and the Power of College” by Nicole Lynn Lewis (Beacon Press, $26.97). an urgent call meant for nontraditional students who are also Black, Latinx, gay, Moms, or Dads.

Inside this book, you’ll find stats and stories that may already sound familiar, tales of not enough money, not enough support, not enough arms or sleep or resources. If you’re looking for a book of advice, this isn’t it, though. It’s more of a resource that you’ll want to take to your guidance counselor or any local politician.

Alright, but what if you’ve decided that college can wait? Is that okay? Look for “The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future” by Arun Gupta and Thomas J. Fewer (Wiley, $29.00) because – guess what? – you have many options for your future.

The kind of workday your Grandpa had is probably over, and you can’t count on toiling at the same place for 40 years for a pension and a gold watch. You already know that, and this book will help you decide your next step. You’ll learn what kind of worker you are, what’s stopping you from finding a job or occupation you’ll love, how to determine the purpose you envision for your future, and how to get where you need to be. This book isn’t just for high schoolers, but for anyone ages 16 and beyond who’s feeling restless, ready for change, or who’s thinking about some kind of purposeful retirement.

And if these aren’t the college-based or not-college-bound books you need, then be sure to ask your favorite bookseller or librarian for help on ideas, how-to’s, test prep books, or study guides. They’ll have books for you, and maybe a little inspiration, too.