MILWAUKEE — The need to stop the violence in Wisconsin’s largest city is picking up steam among local leaders, as crime, shootings and reckless driving continue to plague Milwaukee.

What You Need To Know

  • The need to stop the violence in Wisconsin’s largest city is picking up steam among local leaders, as crime, shootings and reckless driving continue to plague Milwaukee.

  • Iconz, a barbershop on Center Street, is one small business taking a step up to help.

  • The shop has a small mentorship program to teach teenage boys what it takes to be a barber. 

  • Beyond teaching barber skills, the mentorship program tries to connect kids to jobs and help them with school.

Many of those involved in the violence, according to police, are teenagers and young adults. The growing trend is why leaders are stressing the importance of everyone getting involved to prevent young people from falling into crime.

One small business is taking that message to heart. 

Demetris Vance owns Iconz Inc. Barber and Beauty Salon, a barbershop on Center Street.

“We’re a small shop, but we’re trying to do what we can,” he said.

His passion to give the perfect haircut turned into a bigger mission after seeing what was happening in the neighborhood. He said he noticed too many young people getting into the wrong things.

“We started seeing a lot of the youth were walking around with nothing to do,” said Vance. “They had too much free time with no direction. They get into crazy stuff like that.”

So Vance created a small mentorship program to teach teenage boys what it takes to be a barber. Vance’s son, Demetris Junior, is a part of it.

“I feel like there’s a lot of violence, or a lot more violence than last year, because of people not having anything to do,” said Demetris Junior. “I feel that I find a purpose here. It brings kids together in this area. Once they’re here, they can see they can be better people and change their ways and do something with their life.”

Beyond teaching barber skills, the mentorship program tries to connect kids to jobs and help them with school. It offers some outside activities like bike rides and cookouts. It also organizes group conversations inside Iconz.

“It’s natural to talk at the barbershop,” said Vance. “Sometimes, a lot of the young folks have no one to talk to and without having anyone to talk to, it builds aggression and stuff like that. I think just by having conversations and listening, we can help stop some of the violence before it happens.”

By offering a listening ear and a safe space, Vance is doing his part to make a difference with his small business.

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