INGLEWOOD, Calif. – It is all about precision for Trevor Graham. He has been cutting hair in Inglewood for the last 27 years as the owner of In The Cut shop and salon.
“The model of the shop would be to uplift, encourage, and inspire the community through the art of barbering,” Graham said.
Although, just outside the shop’s window his community is changing. Right across the street there is the early stages of development for a new luxury apartment complex, which is scheduled to open in about two years.
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“I believe it’s a time of gentrification, colonization, or opportunity,” Graham said.
It is just a part of a growing trend in Inglewood’s future with the new Rams and Chargers stadium bringing growing concerns of extreme rent increases.
Teareney Erwin has lived in Inglewood all her life and fears the heart and soul of the community is being clipped away.
“Not even for me but for the elder people who have lived here for all of their life and this is the only home that they know. If we drive them up, by driving prices up, who are we benefitting,” said Erwin.
Graham doesn’t believe his shop will be disconnected in the new Inglewood. For him, it is all about keeping a sharp focus on the changing community’s economic structure.
“Being financially aware of what’s going on and how to manipulate it for the good of the other people in the community,” Graham said.
Meanwhile, Erwin thinks it will be up to the community to save the community.
“If you have the power to purchase something here, to purchase. If you have the ability to stay where you are, if you own your home, don’t sell,” Erwin said.
Graham will probably heed that advice for In The Cut, so it can stay standing long after these homes are built.