Central Park Barber, Herman James, Doesn’t Charge for Outdoor Haircuts

Herman James is a licensed barber from Queens, New York. In May 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Herman set up a chair and brought his tools to Central Park, and proceeded to give the gift of haircuts. Herman cuts hair regardless of the person’s age, gender, or ability to pay. Herman says, “Somebody baked me a cake once and brought that over.” The Central Park Barber says he will continue to cut hair on a pay-what-you-can scale, even when the pandemic is over.