Dr. Christopher McNeil, former elementary school principal and current Director of Career and Technical Education at Kansas City Public Schools, has been crowned the winner of the Wahl ‘Benevolent Beards’ Contest.
The national competition, sponsored by men’s grooming brand Wahl, recognizes individuals who make a positive impact on their communities through charitable efforts.
Dr. McNeil’s winning initiative, ‘Books and Barbers,’ is a program designed to provide haircuts, books, and mentorship to elementary school students in the Kansas City Public School District.
As the contest winner, Dr. McNeil is “Wahl Man of the Year” and receives a $20,000 cash prize, and an additional $5,000 will be donated to his charity of choice, the Kansas City Public School Foundation. The Wahl ‘Benevolent Beards’ Contest, which started in April, invited men from across the country to submit videos demonstrating how they support a charity. Dr. McNeil, along with four other finalists, garnered support through public votes, leading to his victory.
To celebrate Dr. McNeil’s award, Wahl has organized two upcoming Kansas City events:
1. Beard Grooming for a Good Cause, Sat., Dec. 9: Wahl’s Mobile Barbershop will be stationed at the Westport Christmas Market from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. For every free beard trim, Wahl will donate $100 to support McNeil’s charity, up to $5,000. Additionally, a Book Drive will take place at the children’s tent, further promoting the educational initiatives championed by Dr. McNeil.
2. Students Meet Football Stars (Mon., Dec. 11: Members of the Kansas City Chiefs — Nick Bolton, Trent McDuffie, Leo Chenal, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah — will meet around 200 elementary school students at the Manual Career and Technical Center from 10 to 11 a.m. The football stars will deliver the Book Drive donations and present the Grand Prize check to Dr. McNeil.
According to Dr. McNeil, ‘Books and Barbers’ is more than just a free haircut, as the organization aims to create a space for students to go while offering mentorship and fostering a love for learning.
“We try to recreate what’s special about barbershops by offering students a safe space where they can learn about life and glean wisdom from amazing mentors,” said Dr. McNeil. “It’s also a way for us to increase the kids’ love of learning and literacy.”
The Wahl ‘Benevolent Beards’ Contest, now in its 16th year, continues to highlight the charitable efforts of bearded individuals nationwide. For more information about the contest or for facial hair tips and tools, visit WahlUSA.com.
