Pay It Forward: Vladimir Averett of Montgomery
If you’ve ever been to Heritage Barber Shop across the street from Alabama State University, then you’ve seen the familiar face of Vladimir Averett.
But more than a friend face, he truly cares about his customers. And not only his customers, but his community.
“I’ve been working with Mr. Averett since about 2013 and I’ve watched him day in and day out at the barbershop, meet and greet out-of-towners and be the connector of the new in town… I watch him meet and greet athletes, regular academic students, myself included. They open up their home of Montgomery to myself and many more and it’s a cycle that continues to go on,” said Ramon Gordon.
We’re told Averett even goes to the county jail every Tuesday to give inmates a haircut. He’ll make house calls for the sick at no charge, and he mentors the young men around him.
Averett says he learned to give back at an early age.
“My parents instilled giving. When you come out of a less fortunate situation, even we had limited resources, we still wanted to help someone in life and advance someone else’s life. That’s the key to it all— trying to advance people in the journey of life because I think the Creator put us here for one purpose to advance and help each other. That’s it,” said Averett.
