Today we’d like to introduce you to Tahirah Jennings.
Hi Tahirah, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve honestly always loved hair. I thought for a long time that I’d be a hairstylist—I’d been doing hair since my early teenage years. What’s funny is, the first time I ever thought about being a barber, I was probably eight or nine years old. But the thought didn’t last long. I remember immediately telling myself, girls can’t be barbers, and I just let it go.
Fast forward to college at the illustrious, North Carolina A&T State Universityn in Greensboro, NC. I was working at a Sprint store in the mall, and the barbershop was right across the hall. Every day I watched men walk in with their heads down, hoodies up, just kind of carrying life. And every single time, they walked out different… smiling, shoulders back, head high, hoodie in their hands. That shift in confidence really stuck with me. I remember thinking, “wow… this actually changes how a man feels about himself.”
So I asked one of the barbers if he would teach me. He asked why I wanted to learn, and then, without hesitation, suprisingly, put the clippers in my hand and let me practice on his client. From there, I went to Walmart & bought a $30 pink Andis clipper/trimmer set. I practiced on my ex and a few homeboys… until they got tired of me pushing their hairlines back, then I had to put the clippers up.
Fast forward, I moved back home to Baltimore from college, pursuing a career in IT. Then in 2011, after having my oldest daughter, I felt an undeniable pull to go back to school. It consumed me. I abruptly quit my job and enrolled full-time at Empire Beauty School. What’s crazy is, I ended teaching classmates how to cut hair, and I working part-time in a barbershop.
But reality hit. I was a new mom, and my skill set and reputation weren’t strong enough yet to fully support us, so I went back to IT. I later moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where I kept cutting hair part-time out of my home and eventually set up a full suite. Somewhere along the way, I realized I didn’t love doing hair anymore—I just wanted to cut. And once lace fronts became a thing… that pretty much sealed the deal. Clippers only.
In 2021, that urge to cut came back again—stronger than ever. Right before COVID, I’d been connected to work on set for a hit FX show, and I had plans to transition into that world. Then the pandemic shut everything down. Not long after, I found out I had a cousin in Atlanta who was a barber, shop owner, and worked on set. One conversation later, he offered for me & my daughter to stay with him, offered me a booth in his shop and a pathway into set work.
I moved to Atlanta in June 2021 and started from scratch—building a clientele, mostly with women getting haircuts. In August 2021, I worked on Wakanda Forever, followed by more film projects. That experience really clarified things for me. I realized my passion wasn’t just hair—it was men’s grooming, confidence, and presence.
That’s when I narrowed my focus, rebranded, and fully stepped into this lane. Looking back, every pause, every detour, and every restart makes sense now. I was always being guided here—I just had to catch up.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Definitely not smooth at all. It’s hard enough being a new barber and learning to cut hair with little skill… but add being a female on top of that…People really doubt you. I remember working in the my 1st barbershop, and asking a walk-in if he needed a cut… after he asked if “I” would be the one cutting him, he proceeded to say “Aint no B**** cutting my hair”. Then the challenge of moving to a new city, and building clientele. I did it twice, in Raleigh, NC and here in Atlanta. But, in my mind… it’s nothing I cant do & I was and AM determined to be successful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a barber and men’s grooming specialist. I do precision cuts, beard work; all the technical stuff,but honestly, what I care most about is creating a space where men can actually decompress. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about feeling taken care of, resetting mentally, not just cleaning up physically.
I think I’m known for being consistent and making guys feel comfortable being themselves. I’m not trying to rush anyone through. Every appointment is intentional—on time, detailed, personal. A lot of my clients tell me they keep coming back because they feel seen, not just serviced. But they surely love the consistency of a great cut each time they leave my chair.
What I’m most proud of? Rebuilding from scratch here in Atlanta. I came with no clients, no guarantees—just showed up every day and earned it through word of mouth, social media and integrity. That taught me a lot about trusting myself and staying disciplined.
What sets me apart is that I’m doing this because I genuinely love it, even when it’s scary or feels uncertain. I didn’t take the safe route. I bring real emotional intelligence and purpose into my work, and I think people feel that. I’m not just cutting hair. I’m holding space, building confidence, creating something that matters. Plus the fact, that i’m a female… like a feminine female, and I let my work speak for itself.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I would say… “to listen to myself”. I know my business and my purpose better than anyone. God is and has been guiding me, and I have yet to be led astray! “Doubt only slows you down & wastes time… Do what you know you need to d0!”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ghqofficial.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ghq_tahirah_thebarber/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TahirahTheBarber/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GHQ_TahirahTheBarber
Image Credits
@WayneHunnit on IG
