PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A nonpartisan effort has launched to empower barbershop owners to become voter hubs for their communities.
It's called "Shape Up the Vote." About 100 shops in the city are participating, with signage and mirror clings reminding customers to register to vote by October 19, and to vote on November 3. There are even registration forms in shops.
At Maxamillion's Gentlemen's Quarters Barber Parlor in Center City, the upcoming election was all the buzz.
"The kids have to understand within that unity comes power and power comes by voting. Your voice will be heard by voting," said owner Arthur J. Wells III, better known to patrons as Maxamillion.
Wells is participating in the effort, which encourages barbershop employees in Philadelphia to not only discuss the importance of voting with clients, but also ask if they're registered and what their plan is on casting their ballot.
"I believe Martin Luther King's dream lives on," he said. "He didn't want violence and he wanted everyone to be peaceful. Peaceful demonstration and to do that, you go out and you vote."
Marshal Lyons of Yeadon was sitting in Wells' chair, partaking in the conversation.
"I mean everybody, every business should to do it, every person should do it, talk about it with your family, talk about it in your community, your church, wherever, because this is one of the most important votes that we have," he said.
At the Another Planet Barber Shop on South Street, owner Jacque "Sci-Fi" Scott has a Darth Vader look going with her mask.
"I love people to walk around and get a sense of the atmosphere," she said. "They are already going to see the yellow signs, 'Register to vote,' and all that good stuff, and then, when they get in the chair...alright, are you registered to vote? Are you ready? It doesn't even matter who you are voting for, just that you have that motive to get down there and make your voice heard."
"Shape Up the Vote" director Noah Marmar said the campaign is community-focused.
"This is about the barbers, this is about the community and the clients," he said, "and just a way for people to be informed, educated and motivated to go out and vote in 2020."
An effort to staff the polls on Election Day, with paid positions, is also taking place.