A Brownsville barber who offers free haircuts to people in need was among five recipients of the 2024 David Prize, an annual award recognizing New Yorkers with bold ideas to improve the city.
Gregory Purnell, widely known as “Greg The Barber,” received $200,000 in unrestricted funding through the prize on Sept. 10. He says this will help him expand his community program, the Look Good Feel Good Movement, by developing strategic partnerships with shelters and refining scheduling and budget infrastructure.
With 38 years of barbering experience, Purnell told Brooklyn Paper that he has “always been rooted in community” with his work. At his previous barbershop in Queens, he ran the “Cuts for Grades” program that offered free haircuts to kids who kept up a 65 or above GPA.
Three years ago, he ditched the traditional barbershop setup for a more intimate studio space in Brownsville to allow him to focus on his community work. There, he works on a donation basis to make haircare more accessible, which he views as an essential service that encompasses therapy, social work, and artistry.
“Something as simple as a haircut can have a profound impact on our day-to-day,” Purnell said. “I cut people from all different backgrounds and lifestyles, and I made it a point to develop some level of understanding of how the hair works, and through that, I developed an understanding of different perspectives, cultures and lifestyles.”
Around this time, he also started the “Look Good Feel Good Movement,” which sees him connecting with local shelters and community centers each week to offer free haircuts. Look Good Feel Good also works with the nonprofit Avenues for Justice on youth-focused programs — most recently collaborating on a back-to-school giveaway.
Purnell said that the David Prize money will allow him to expand his community offerings and attract more barbers. By establishing infrastructure for scheduling, tax incentives, and expense budgets, Purnell said he aims to ensure consistent, free barber services for the most vulnerable populations.
He added that he was grateful to be a recipient of the David Prize this year, an opportunity he says is “accessible to everyday people who have genuine intentions for a beautiful place like New York.”
The David Prize, now in its fifth year, awards $200,000 each to five New Yorkers working to tackle social, cultural, economic, or environmental issues across the city. Winners are selected through a year-long process, including an open call for submissions, expert panel reviews, and interviews. The David Prize provides winners with the freedom to pursue their ideas without financial restrictions or required reporting, allowing them to focus solely on their projects.
“We believe in the power of individuals,” said Erika Augustine, executive director of The David Prize. “These recipients represent the best of New York City—relentlessly working to improve it, day by day. Our goal is to seed and celebrate ideas that have a catalytic impact on New York City. These extraordinary people are the lifeblood of the city, and it’s our privilege to support them.”
Fellow 2024 David Prize winners include:
- Meghan Finn: Artistic director of The Tank, an off-off Broadway theater, Finn aims to replicate her theater’s successful model, helping other venues maximize their space and attract new audiences.
- J.C. Hall: A clinical social worker and hip-hop artist, Hall founded a hip-hop therapy program in the South Bronx. His vision is to expand this culturally responsive therapy model citywide, blending mental health support with hip-hop culture.
- Diana Imbert: Founder of Defying Legal Gravity, Imbert is building a legal education program for youth. She envisions a movement to empower everyday New Yorkers with legal knowledge, much like financial literacy efforts.
- Mi Jong Lee: A veteran designer, Lee is working to revitalize the Garment District by automating local production. Her goal is to make New York a hub for agile, high-quality garment manufacturing that meets modern consumer demands.
Nominations for next year’s prize are now open.
