Meet “X” — The Diamond Cuts Barber Changing Lives in North Phoenix
by Ryan R Gielow, Owner of Absolute Pest Solutions & Founder of Living North Phoenix Together Toward Tomorrow
North Phoenix Spotlight: Xavier “X” Kelly of Diamond Cuts Barbershop
NEW FEATURE ALERT: Welcome to Our First Together Toward Tomorrow Spotlight
Welcome to the very first Living North Phoenix: Together Toward Tomorrow Spotlight! This is our new series where we shine a light on the incredible people who make our community a better, more connected place to live.
Have you seen our other Blog Series: Local Lens Contributor? If not, here is a link to view the most recent blog: Peaceful Parks: Best Spots in North Phoenix to Journal, Read, or Just Breathe.
We also will have an upcoming series from a local Educator, along with a few other series too. Stay tuned.
And don’t forget to sign up for our Living North Phoenix Newsletter to stay informed, stay on top of things to do in North Phoenix, restaurant reviews, the latest news from Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien and more!
Now, back to X!
Meet Xavier “X” Kelly of Diamond Cuts
For our first spotlight, we want you to meet Xavier Kelly, better known as the one-and-only “X” from Dmnd Kutz barbershop on 43rd Ave and Cactus!
From Play-Doh Sculptures to Precision Haircuts
X’s journey to becoming a barber is amazing. From a young age, he was always artistic-sculpting Play-Doh, carving wood, you name it! For his family, the weekly trip to the barbershop was a tradition, an event “like going to Church.”
By age 11, X felt he could cut his own unique hair better than anyone else. After a two-year campaign to convince his mom to trade his art supplies for hair clippers, she finally gave in. He started cutting his own hair, and soon, kids at school were asking, “X, why do you always look so fresh?”
His career was born right there in the school hallways! His talent grew, and he even became a traveling barber with a loyal following. But he eventually realized that what he was missing wasn’t more clients-it was the community of the barbershop itself.
A Barbershop That Builds More Than Confidence
Today, X isn’t just a master of his craft; he’s a mentor. I personally come in every few weeks and when I do, I always see him and all the others helping young men with much needed advice and real-world truth about life.
We witnessed something truly special (it actually happens all the time) at his shop when he stopped what he was doing to have a real, honest heart-to-heart with a young man about the importance of respecting his mom and putting in the work at school. (His mother took away some privileges and the young man was not happy about it.)
And the best part? The proof is in the pudding.
A year later, that same young man came back to the shop and proudly showed X an essay he wrote for English class. The assignment was, “Write About Someone Other Than Family Who Impacted Your Life.” Not only did he earn an A+, but the essay was about X and how this young man always appreciated truth he gave.
Want to Nominate Someone for a Future Spotlight?
This is EXACTLY the kind of community spirit we want to celebrate. It’s the people like X, who take the time to guide and give back, that truly weave our community together. We’ll be sharing a new Together Toward Tomorrow spotlight every other Monday! WHO SHOULD WE FEATURE NEXT?
If you know someone who deserves to have the spotlight shone on them for bringing our community together, please comment below or message me or Blair Ballin at Living North Phoenix and tell us their story! We’d love to hear it. Let’s give a huge round of applause for X!
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