A Cut Above the Rest: The Journey of Jamaican-Born Brooklyn Barber Dwight O’Neal Edwards

Photos courtesy: Lyndon Taylor

By Lyndon Taylor

In the heart of Ocean Hill, Brooklyn, amidst the clamor of city life, Dwight O’Neal Edwards, affectionately known as ‘Weezy,’ wields his shears with a precision honed by determination and a belief in self. As a doting dad, actor, podcast host, entrepreneur and a star in the barbering community, Weezy’s journey is a testament to resilience, talent, and the unwavering spirit to stay a cut above the rest.

Born at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston, Jamaica on September 12, 1983, Dwight spent his early years in the Cooreville Gardens community, before emigrating to the United States at age 7. His mom left when he was only five years old to ensure he had a better life.

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Dwight admits that coming to the US was frightening, noting that it was a difficult adjustment. At that time, he was unable to read or write and was therefore placed in Special Ed. He attended P.S. 40 on Ralph Avenue in Brooklyn, where he credits Miss Carol for rescuing him from his original teacher who was chasing him around the school with a broomstick and told him he was not going to live to 18. Huge thanks to Miss Carol, who saw the potential for greatness and invested in him. She would treat Dwight as if he were her own son, introducing him to reading. Among the titles: Kemetic Spirituality, in addition to books by Pan Africanist writer, historian and professor Dr. John Herik Clarke; author Dr. Malachi Z. York; and Ben Carson.

Coming out of High School, Dwight was offered a number of scholarships, however, due to his immigration status at the time, he was unable to take up any of the offers. Upon graduation, he moved to Boston to work with his Uncle Paul who owned a moving company. This afforded him the opportunity to make an honest living and take care of his first daughter, born in 2005. 

According to Dwight, he’s worked in a variety of industries ranging from fast food to moving & storage to cabinet making, but points out that there was always an issue getting paid. “Every job off the books didn’t want to pay me,” stated Edwards. He remarked that one employer noted “it’s a thousand of you and one of me”.

Despite the challenges faced however, Dwight did not lose hope, remaining resolute and steadfast. “In the midst of it all, I refuse to do the wrong thing to get the right result,” Edwards stated.

In 2007/08, he was so depressed that he went to get a haircut and while there he was encouraged by one of the barbers to become part of the profession. Soon after, he made inquiries to enroll at Barber Atlas School in Manhattan. He called his Uncle Ian and told him of his interest and his Uncle didn’t hesitate to send the $5K via Western Union to complete the eight-month course.

Following the completion of his formal training, his fortunes would change, and he opened his own business Tex and Weezy Barber Shop which he operated from 2007 to 2016. “That experience of owning and running my business changed my point of view and helped me to become the man I am today at 40,” Edwards noted.

His cozy barbershop became the happening spot in the community, and three years after its opening, he launched his clothing brand, Salute The Gods, which continues until today. 

One could say that Dwight’s journey into the world of barbering began not as a mere career choice, but as a lifeline during tough times. As he continues to make his ascent, he recounts how he turned to cutting hair after facing numerous challenges that could have easily derailed his ambitions.

He recalls that raising his daughter as a single parent infused his life with purpose and added layers of responsibility that fueled his determination to succeed. The multi-talented dad of three: 2 girls and 1 boy, is a budding actor who has appeared in a number of full-length films: The Bullet to the Ballot I & II, Deserved It and Let’s Go For Life. He is also the host of his podcast STG Metaphysical Talk Radio, available on Spotify and YouTube.

In our exclusive interview, Weezy dropped a few gems which he hopes will serve as an inspiration to other young black men, especially those from the Caribbean and African Diaspora. He encouraged them to believe in themselves, adding “There’s no limitation on what you can achieve. It’s your responsibility to create the life you want,” Edwards emphasized.

The successful entrepreneur hopes to inspire others through his journey. According to Dwight, “Stay true to yourself, no matter the circumstance,” reminding them “There is no salvation outside of self”. 

In a city where dreams are both made and tested, Dwight O’Neal Edwards, ‘Weezy,’ stands as a testament to the power of belief, the strength found in fatherhood and family, and the artistry that defines his craft. 

As his clippers hum at House of Skillz Barbershop, in Ocean Hill, which he co-founded where the conversations flow, the Jamaican-born Brooklyn resident Weezy remains a beacon of hope and inspiration, reminding us all that with resilience and self-belief, one can truly stay a cut above the rest.

  barber, Brooklyn, Jamaica, journey