Join us for a documentary screening and discussion with “The Barber of Little Rock” Arlo Washington.

Entrepreneur + Visionary + Economic Warrior — Arlo Washington exemplifies all of these and more. He defines his purpose in life “to advance equity, create opportunities, and build the community.” Creating more than 1500 jobs in Arkansas through his start-up barber college is impressive. Opening the first Black-owned credit union in Arkansas broadened his reach with meaningful impact through the power of community banking. As told by the 2024 Oscar nominated documentary short “The Barber of Little Rock,” Arlo transforms lives in his quest to close the racial wealth gap.

“If you see a problem, fix the problem. I’ve lent people in need $63 million to pay rent, buy homes, start businesses, improve lives. People need restoration. People need rehabilitation. People need love. You can’t develop a community if you don’t develop the people. We’re not gonna really be able to impact the community like we need unless we’re able to offer checking accounts and a place where they can store their money that’s in the neighborhood, that understands the cultural difference and the credit needs on a granular level.” — Arlo

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arlo worked his way out of poverty by apprenticing as a barber, then opening his first shop at age 20. Over a short time Arlo expanded his business to seven shops, and then established his accredited barber school — Washington Barber College. Seeing the need to support barber college students with emergency hardships, Arlo’s compassion manifested through small dollar/low interest loans, funded monthly by $1,000 or more from barber school profits.

Trusting people, plus his drive to fight economic inequality, led Arlo to create even more financial services for his low and moderate-income community. First with small personal loans, then with the nonprofit People Trust Community Loan Fund, Arlo worked to end the surrounding urban credit desert, defined by no banks within a ten-mile radius. Understanding that his community needed more than loans, Arlo chartered People Trust Community Federal Credit Union in 2022, the first minority-owned and operated financial institution in Arkansas.

Arlo’s story showcases his larger mission to solve historical problems as a pioneering change agent. The documentary, financed in part by NBA Hall of Fame player Dwayne Wade and the MassMutual Foundation, highlights Little Rock’s 1970s interstate extension that demolished a major Black business district while displacing many low-income residents. The effects of the interstate exist today, dividing the city racially and economically while serving as a physical and psychological divider in the social fabric. Prior to People Trust, no banks existed in the Arlo’s Black community of 30,000 residents, while the predominately white community of 8,000 across the interstate included 14 banks.

Arlo speaks to the disparities in justice and fairness, in banking as well as throughout society. Whether training barbers or speaking to audiences, he infuses his message with focus on professional, responsible, morally conscious actions grounded in excellence. His presentations deliver on the promise to inspire and educate while offering fresh perspectives on community banking’s potential and impact, pivotal to solving racial issues entangled with access and need.