Barber Turns Passion into Community Mission: One Haircut at a Time
Seyran “Sey” Basak, a 25-year-old barber located in Culver City, is gaining recognition not only for his skillful haircuts, but also for his passion to give back to the community, one haircut at a time.
Sey’s path to becoming a barber was not a direct one. Initially, he was pursuing a degree in computer science, but he began to feel increasingly dissatisfied with his future career outlook. Sey recalls feeling “unsatisfied thinking about my future work life.” He sought a profession that would provide him with the same happiness and flexibility that his father, an entrepreneur, experienced while supporting his family at the same time. Following his father’s unfortunate passing from cancer in 2019, Sey gained the clarity he needed regarding his future career aspirations. During his father’s final weeks in hospice, Sey shared a valuable moment, stating, “I gave him his final haircut in the hospital, not realizing it was his last.” Ultimately, his father’s encouraging words and the revelation that his dad had once managed a barbershop significantly influenced Sey’s decision to pursue this path full time.
For Sey, barbering is more than just a job—it’s a way to connect with his community. “I know a haircut is temporary and cosmetic,” Sey admits, “but I’ve grown to understand how much a great hairstyle can influence an individual’s self-perception.” He believes that the impact of a good haircut extends far beyond appearance.
His commitment to making a difference in the lives of others is evident in his plan to offer free haircuts to low-income students. Sey believes that “providing quality haircuts to low-income students will give them the confidence they need to do their best in school; not only in their studies but also in social activities.”
Sey is already working on establishing partnerships with Culver City schools to identify students in need who could benefit from his services. He hopes to ensure that these students, especially those preparing for events like prom, have access to free haircuts.“These families’ students deserve to be able to join their peers in all of the same celebrations and events while feeling just as confident as anyone else” Sey insists.While he is currently the only barber reaching out to local schools with such an offer in the community, Sey hopes to inspire other barbers and hairdressers to follow his lead. “I hope that my actions will inspire the many talented and passionate barbers in the area to give back to the community” Sey says. For him, success in this mission is more than personal achievement. He dreams of a program that reaches beyond Culver City. “This could bring a lot of support to low-income students, and it could elevate the barber community in the eyes of the public” Sey says.
Sey’s vision is about giving individuals the tools they need to succeed, starting with something as simple yet powerful as a haircut. As Sey continues his work, he hopes that more people in his industry “can help everyone experience the best potential of their hair and learn how to take care of it in a way that increases their confidence.” Seyis proving that even small gestures, such as a haircut, can leave lasting impacts on those who need it most.
CCHS students who are interested and/or eligible to receive one of these free services, please contact Adrienne Madrid in the College and Career Center or email her at: AdrienneMadrid@ccusd.org. Check out Sey’s Instagram at: @seycuts.