"Atlanta's Oldest" Black Barbershop Owner Celebrates 87 Years Thursday at Paschals

The black church may be the power base of the African-American community; but it is the black barbershop where wisdom—often in the form of humor—is found.

For more than five decades, barbershop owner George Axam has been at the helm of the later in southwest Atlanta, as owner and chief master barber at A&M Barbershop, 338 McDaniel St.

On Thursday, customers from across the greater Cascade area and members of the Professional Black Barbers Association will salute "Mr. George" and celebrate his 87th birthday, which is Aug. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Paschal's Restaurant, 180 Northside Dr.

At his shop on Wednesday, Axam said he was honored that his colleagues—four of whom he mentored and helped obtain licenses and, in one case, a building—wanted to fete him. But Axam, who works six days a week, starting promptly at 9 a.m. and ended at 8 p.m. or when the last head is done, says he just likes barbering.

"I enjoy what I do," said Axam, who moved to Atlanta from Jeffersonville, Ga., in 1945 "for a better life."

Axam, a Collier Heights resident, says he will retire eventually but, for now, he plans to keep the same hours.

"As long as I feel like I can helps someone," Axam said, as he touched up the edges of Richard Alford, one of his regulars, "I plan to keep working."

For an appointment with Mr. George or master barber Derrick Wise, call 404-525-9356. For more information about the Axam salute, contact Lance Robertson of Robertson Media Group, 404-454-8830.