Step inside the barbershop—where culture, community, and conversation collide. Rooted In The Cut is a powerful documentary that captures the heartbeat of Black barbershops and the men who keep their legacy alive.

Join us for a special screening at the African American Cultural Society on May 16 at 3:00 PM.

Tickets: $10.00
Purchase online via A Dante Production

Come experience the stories, the brotherhood, and the culture—straight from the chair.

Rooted In The Cut is a podcast documentary that goes beyond the chairs, clippers, and conversations of the Black barbershop to examine the deeper realities of Black entrepreneurship, economic struggle, and community responsibility. Using Toney’s Barber Shop in Palm Coast, Florida as a living case study, this film explores what it truly takes for Black business owners to start, sustain, and survive — even when their businesses are cultural anchors and essential community spaces.

For generations, the Black barbershop has been far more than a grooming destination. It has served as a social sanctuary, a place of mentorship and accountability, an inter-generational classroom, and a space where identity, culture, and confidence are shaped and reinforced. But behind its symbolic power lies a difficult truth: many Black-owned businesses operate under enormous financial pressure and structural barriers that often go unseen.

This documentary seeks to bring those realities to the surface.

Through candid interviews, historical reflection, and on-the-ground storytelling, Rooted In The Cut highlights the commitment, sacrifice, emotional toll, and resilience of Black entrepreneurs — while also confronting the economic patterns that impact whether these businesses thrive… or disappear.

The film integrates research from the landmark Black Men In America.com article, “How Do Black People Spend Their Money?”, including data on how long money circulates within various communities:

Black community — 6 hours
White community — 17 days
Jewish community — 20 days
Asian community — 30 days

These statistics are not just numbers — they are economic indicators of vulnerability.

They reveal how quickly Black dollars exit our communities, limiting reinvestment, weakening business sustainability, and reducing opportunities for wealth creation and generational stability. Meanwhile, other communities recycle and circulate their spending in ways that strengthen their institutions, local businesses, and long-term economic power.