The Community Glue | Black Travel Across America

The Five Points District in Denver, Colorado, has a legacy of African-American excellence. Long time business owners like Franklin and Maedella Stiger take pride in carrying that torch forward as the neighborhood changes.

The Frank and Miss Mae

Thank you so much for allowing me to come in here today. When people talk about Five Points, they always say, you have to come see the Stigers. And they've been. Loving you guys for the past 40 years, correct?

I've been here for 40 or better. And I serve the people well.

And so, over the past 40 years, how many people from the community did you employ here at the barbershop?

About three off and on, you know, and during my time. You had the natural and Jerry curl. Uh huh. And that's what brought the money in.

Miss Mae, you had a Jerry curl?

Yes. Did you have a Jerry curl? And an Afro! That was my natural.

Okay, that was your natural. But then too for the community, with the projects being over in Arapaho, the little kids would come in and said, Mr. Stiger, can I sweep the floor? Can I do this? You know, for lunch money. And he used to always have one or two of them, you know, come and help clean up the shop and give them money. And they would take that money and then work their school lunch money for the week. One of the kids turned out to be a doctor.

Wow.

Whenever he comes to Colorado, he comes to the shop.

I love that. I just love that you guys are such a staple in this community and you're still here.

I'm always looking for ways to support black businesses, but the Stigers remind me that it's not just about buying black. These small businesses are the foundation of their communities, creating the opportunities, role models, and healthy environments that for so much of American history, black people couldn't find elsewhere.