WYOMING, Mich. — At 28th Street and Taft Avenue in Wyoming, 20-year-old Gabriel Mukendi puts the finishing touches on his very own barbershop, just a little more than one year after finishing high school.
"I can't believe it. I still haven't processed everything yet," said Mukendi. "Maybe when I start working on the hair I'll process it, but I'm just out of words for real right now."
Mukendi graduated from Wyoming High School in 2023. He started cutting hair for his friends and family in their bathroom when he was in eighth grade, with YouTube channels such as 360 Jeezy inspiring him to peruse barbering.
Graduating from Empire Beauty School, he completed his 1,500 hours this month. With help from his family and friends, his eight-chair shop was put together all by their own hands.
The space purchased with money he had earned through the years cutting hair.
"I want to make my family proud and just make something out of myself," said Mukendi. "Just make my mom proud, because she did everything for me."
Mukendi recalled his family arriving in West Michigan from Malawi in 2014, after his family fled an ongoing war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He says all that his mother overcame is what enabled his family to eventually be able to settle in the U.S.
"She had to run from the war, from Congo to Malawi to safety, leave everything behind, start somewhere fresh as a refugee going to all these camps, trying to get the papers and just sell things she had to sell in the market for us," said Mukendi, adding that his work ethic comes from his whole family.
"We started all the way back in Africa with my brothers and sisters trying to sell everything that we can so we can feed our family. I'm just grateful to be here, and we've been here for almost 10 years now."
Reflecting on their arrival in West Michigan, Mukendi remembered seeing snow for the first time, thinking flowers were falling from the sky.
"Everything, it was different, the food, the environment, schools, everything were just different," Mukendi recalled. "Then we adjusted, but it was definitely a big adjustment."
Opening Gabe's Barbershop on Saturday, Nov. 30, he said he is most excited to help people feel their best, and put a smile on their faces.
"Just make everybody feel welcome up in here and get a good haircut, and feel loved," said Mukendi. "When people get a haircut, they smile. I love seeing that."
With his mother's name displayed on the wall, and many items holding special memories to him, Mukendi is thankful for all who have helped him get this far.
"I saw the vision and belief, and worked hard for it," said Mukendi when asked what he wants others to know when hearing his story. "Just whatever you decide to do, believe in it, and you can definitely do it."
