On Sept. 25, 2025, UNLV hosted the first installment of the Barbershop Talk series, The Capital in Our Culture, in the Student Union, Room 208. The event was a collaborative effort led by Sammie Scales (Student Diversity Programs), Imani Patterson (Student Diversity Programs), Kendall Sanders (Nevada State College), Sarah Taylor (College of Southern Nevada), and Sean Tory (City of Las Vegas).
The evening explored Tara Yosso’s framework of cultural capital — Aspirational, Linguistic, Familial, Social, Navigational, and Resistance — through poetry, storytelling, and guided discussion. Participants engaged deeply with each form of capital, reflecting on how these assets shape resilience, community strength, and student success.
Students expressed overwhelming enthusiasm for the event, noting its cultural relevance and the meaningful space it created for dialogue and reflection. Many participants have already called for future sessions, affirming the importance of continuing the series.
The Barbershop Talk series represents a growing commitment to fostering spaces of cultural grounding, collective learning, and empowerment within the UNLV community.
