April 27, 2011 - UTI Houston instructor changes the world – one haircut at a time

April 27, 2011 - Harvey Davis, the director of the diesel program at UTI Houston, was inspired from an early age to take matters into his own hands to create change and forward progress for himself and others. As a teenager, Harvey’s family relocated to Boston where they were only one of two African American families in the neighborhood. Upon visiting the barber shop for his first haircut, it was painfully obvious that the barber didn’t know how to cut Harvey’s type of hair. When he went home to complain to his mother, she didn’t sympathize with him as he thought she would. Instead, she said, “Don’t complain about the results; do something that will impact future haircuts.” The next day, she surprised Harvey with a set of Oster clippers and told him to go for it. And boy, did he. Harvey spent hours and hours locked in the bathroom perfecting his technique and cut. Although the first cut didn’t look much better than what he’d received at the barber shop, over time his cuts improved, and friends complimented him on his hair on a regular basis. Pretty soon, friends started asking Harvey to cut their hair.

Today, as a respected role model to the students at UTI Houston, Harvey continues to cut hair by offering free haircuts to all students. In order to stay enrolled at UTI, students must adhere to a professional dress code that includes dress and appearance standards, but often students don’t have the financial means or time for regular haircuts. That’s where Harvey is making good on his promise to his mother to do something to impact the future.

During the 30 minutes it takes Harvey to give a haircut (in his office, no less!), he is able to provide a service much needed by students, while conducting a meaningful exchange with them.

Harvey Davis is one of the many talented, caring staff members you’ll find throughout UTI’s 11 campuses. To learn more about pursuing a technical education at UTI, visit UTI Houston.