The Center for Restorative Change’s B’more for Healthy Babies hosted a barbershop BHB Huddle with Sen. Antonio Hayes, fostering cross-generational dialogue on men’s health, fatherhood, and community.
The University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Center for Restorative Change and B’more for Healthy Babies recently hosted a powerful BHB Huddle at Illusions Barbershop in West Baltimore, featuring special guest Senator Antonio Hayes. The BHB Huddle is a monthly barbershop-based gathering designed to deepen male engagement and create space for honest, cross-generational dialogue among fathers, mentors, and community members. In recognition of Movember, the global health campaign focused on men’s health, facilitator Stacey Stephens guided an evening conversation that surfaced seasonal mental health challenges, holiday family stressors, the realities of parenthood, evolving ideas of masculinity, and the impact of the prison-industrial complex on Baltimore families.
Senator Hayes remained for the entire discussion and actively contributed, listening closely to lived experiences and community insights shared by barbers and patrons. His presence offered a meaningful opportunity to connect state-level policymaking with grassroots fatherhood and male engagement work, highlighting how community spaces like barbershops can support prevention, healing, and leadership. The Huddle also underscored the critical roles that social workers and B’more for Healthy Babies play in leading comprehensive efforts to improve maternal and infant health outcomes while strengthening overall family and community well-being in Baltimore City. Together, these partnerships reflect a shared commitment to advancing equity, uplifting fathers and caregivers, and building healthier futures for children across the city.