Abilene, Kan. native, 89-year-old Bernie Wilkins is the owner of Midway Barbershop in South Central Los Angeles. On. Jan. 24, Wilkins received a certificate of recognition from the LA City Council President and Representative of the 8th District, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, and other council members. He received the award for being a long-standing Black business owner for 60 years.
Wilkins spoke about the honor. “I’m a person who doesn’t really like a lot of recognition, but…I appreciate them recognizing me and the shop. He continued. “I have some customers who tell me that I deserve this.”
Wilkins got into barbering after he served in the U.S. Air Force and was in search of a new career path. Initially, he did not know where his career path would lead him after serving. Although he would cut hair occasionally during his downtime in the Air Force, he still had his eyes on being a basketball player.
After being discharged, Wilkins attended Kansas Industrial and Educational Institute in Topeka, Kan., a vocational school with various teachings such as carpentry, cosmetology, agriculture, domestic science, plumbing, nursing, tailoring, barbering, and auto mechanics. Established in 1895, the institution was referred to as the “Western Tuskegee” as it was a staple educational hub for the Black community of Topeka. Wilkins obtained his barbering license right before the institution was closed down in 1955.
Wilkins shared some advice for younger Black business owners. “You’ve got to be dedicated to what you are doing. I’ve been a barber, so I enjoy cutting hair.” Wilkins continued, “If I didn’t enjoy what I was doing, I could not have made it [this far]… for 60 years.”
Once he received his barbering credentials, Wilkins moved to Merced, Calif., where he met his wife. He then had to obtain his license in California. After marrying his wife and moving to Los Angeles.
“I started working at a shop called Starlane Barbershop on 5th Avenue and Vernon, which is no longer there, in 1961.” He continued, “The gentleman who owned that shop said that he could no longer afford it. It became available, and I offered to buy the shop. I opened it up in February of 1965.”
At that time in his life, he was 29 years old. It was his first time taking a risk and starting a business. “I’d made up my mind that I wanted to have my own shop; that [became] my ambition. I wanted a shop where anyone could come… where everyone respected each other.” Wilkins is elated to receive the honorable reward.
