Dr.
William Drakeford is currently working as a professor and coordinator
of the National Center on Education, Disability and Juvenile Justice
at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP).
Dr.
Drakeford's upbringing in a challenging urban environment gives
him a unique perspective on research in urban issues. These experiences
have nourished his long-standing interest in promoting action
research among juveniles in correctional facilities. As such,
he realized one of his visions by recently opening a business
establishment that serves and supports the community at large.
Dr.
Drakeford (better known as Will) began cutting hair as a teenager
while growing up in the Projects in Brooklyn, NY. He later refined
his barbering skills to earn extra money as a college student.
Due to these experiences, he felt the need to give back to the
community through his business and work at UMCP.
The
goal of Drake's Place barbershop is to assist youth with disabilities
and those released from corrections. The Shop also advocates vocational
programs in correctional facilities and collaborates with administrators
to provide job options. In addition, it offers internship opportunities
for special needs students from local high schools by giving them
an incentive to acquire real life experiences in the job market.
Students receive some mentoring, learn about the business of barbering
and cosmetology and received a grade upon completion of the program.
Drake's
Place also provides support to youth termed "at-Risk".
The establishment works with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters
(BBBS) nationwide program to increase mentors for youth by holding
bi-monthly recruitment campaigns. To date, these efforts have
produced 18 new mentors.
In
the future, Dr. Drakeford's initiatives provide ample opportunity
to further research the effectiveness of community based youth
programs.
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