LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — On Sunday, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts hosted a special screening of "The Barber of Little Rock," a short film documentary that addresses the racial wealth gap, has received an Oscar nomination for 2024.
The film, which was directed by John Hoffman and Christine Turner, follows Arlo Washington— a man who founded a nonprofit loan fund based in the same parking lot as his barber college.
"The film explores the racial wealth gap, and it tells my story. It tells my why. You know, how [the] People Trust community loan fund was created," said Arlo Washington.
Washington founded the non-profit called "People Trust" in the parking lot of his barber college back in 2014, to aid those who struggled with receiving loans from traditional banks.
"A lot of unbanked or underbanked populations out here that just don't know what to do. A lot of caused by fear and insecurity, fear of rejection, fear of feeling stupid, so there's a social aspect to banking that needs to be strengthened. I believe that this film shows how it can be done," he described.
When you hear the words "the American Dream" you might think about owning a house, being wealthy, or just having an equal opportunity like everyone else.
Washington explained how "The Barber of Little Rock" addresses the ongoing racial wealth gap that we see every day in our own communities.
"There are services that can be offered to you that never are presented to someone that, you know, is experiencing generational poverty," he added.
There are places where division can be created based on your income, the color of your skin, or sometimes even both.
"So, it's good that it brings both ends of the world together, you know, gives the people that are experiencing generational wealth, a glimpse into what people who are experiencing generational poverty deal with," he said. "It gives them a glimpse of what is on the other side as well."
Washington explained how what started as a simple conversation at the barber shop with the goal of helping people change their mindsets of how they view generational poverty— has now been nominated for an Oscar.
"We emerged out of unmet credit, you know. I've always been solutions driven but for that story to be nominated, and be, you know, at the Oscars and have the world's attention it's just amazing and it's inspiring. It gives me fuel to continue to go on" he described.
Through a series of interviews. each person in the film speaks about various topics including the racial wealth gap, the "American Dream," equity, and ownership.
People Trust is the first Black-owned bank in Arkansas, with one of the core focuses of "The Barber of Little Rock" centering around the perseverance of Black citizens in Little Rock. As well as how they've succeeded despite hardships and injustices that have acted as hurdles.
The 2024 Oscars will air on ABC on Sunday, March 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m.
If you'd like to watch the full short film documentary, please click here.