Cutting up communities mission is to empower and uplift underserved communities by performing providing essential support and resources to individuals facing homelessness, returning from incarceration, And facing systemic challenges . By providing free haircuts, mentorship, and basic needs, they are building community and restoring dignity and building self-confidence.

It is no secret that homelessness and violence go hand in hand. As their rates continue to soar, there is not one person whose life has not

been affected or touched by homelessness and/or violence in one way or another. This is something Brian Stepter Sr., a third generation barber by trade, knows all too well. It was Thanksgiving Day, 2001, a day that changed his life forever, when Brian went to LA to visit a friend.

As he was exiting an elevator, he crossed paths with two male suspects who had been on a shooting spree, injuring several other innocent

people just a few blocks away. They opened fire on Brian, shot him ten times at point blank range, and left him for dead in a pool of blood. "All I remember is hearing onlookers ask the EMTs if I was going to make it and their answer was 'no', stated Brian. Despite the odds Brian survived.

During this period of recovery, Brian strived to get back to his career as a barber. Brian had to face his own demons, having brushes with homelessness, as he struggled to get his life back on track. In 2010, Brian opened up Cuttin' Up Barbershop.

After his experience, he knew he wanted to make a positive difference in this world. He made it a point to try recruit at risk youth into his barbershop to show them a better way of life, other than crime. Many of the young men he mentored now have thriving careers as barbers.

Brian also spent hundreds of hours donating his time to non-profit organizations, cutting hair for the homeless. As a nonprofit mobile barbershop, Cuttin Up Community Project will be going out and providing haircuts to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. It will also serve as a place of learning and assistance those who are looking for a trade/career and/or in obtaining their barbers’ license such as newly released prisoners and others who are at risk. Brian believes, "If every person could do something to leave this world better than how we found it, the positive impact would be phenomenal and that's what we are trying to do with Cuttin' Up Community Project.“

Brian Stepter – Founder & CEO of Cuttin’ Up Community Project