Larry "Bear" High

Larry "Bear" High first became interested in becoming a barber at the age of 10. He would watch his oldest brother John cut hair to learn the techniques of cutting hair. At the age of 12 years old, he purchased his own clippers and began cutting hair for 25 cents for each customer's head. At the age of 15 years old, he increased his price to 50 cents. Mr. High and John both were cutting hair in their bedrooms at the McCallie Homes Housing Projects.

Mr. High's goal was to become a professional barber. He would rush home from school each day to customers that were waiting for him. After graduating from Howard High School in 1966, he received a Vocational Rehabilitation Scholarship to attend Tennessee Barber College in Nashville Tennessee. While attending college, he received a $94.00 check monthly, which he saved each month toward fulfilling his vision of owning his own barber shop after graduation.

Mr. High was able to provide for his personal needs which included food, clothes, public transportation and so forth, with the very small tips that he made from college. During his college training he was rated the number one (#1) barber in his class. After graduation in 1967, Mr. High's first job was at “Live and Let Live” barber shop on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, where he served as manager of the shop.

In March of 1970, Mr. High opened his first barber shop known as Bear’s Barber Shop in Alton Park. He later encouraged and helped John to open his own barber shop in Brainerd. Mr. High continued his passion for barbering. He was the first African American to become a barber instructor at Chattanooga Barber College in the early 1990's.

A few years later, Mr. High became the first African American to be appointed to the Tennessee State Barber Board by Governor Ned McWhorter. There he served on the board as Vice President. After four years of services , he resigned to pursue additional goals and accomplish other achievements.

In 2003, Mr. High was re-appointed to the Tennessee State Barber Board by Governor Phil Bredesen. During this tenure, there were three other African Americans on the board along with Mr. High. One of which was Mr. Vernon Winfrey, who was the father of world-renowned Oprah Winfrey. As a result of knowing Vernon Winfrey, Mr. High was able to develop a relationship and spend time getting to know Oprah Winfrey.

Mr. High is the owner of Bear's Barber Shop located in Alton Park. He is also the owner of Nu Image Creative Cuts Barber Shop, and Lonnie's Hair Design in Brainerd, all which are located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mr. High employs thirteen employees and is often recognized for his faith and being a living example that dreams do come true when you trust God, work hard, and believe. Presently, he will be celebrating 55 successful years in business at Bears Barber Shop and 58 years as a Master Barber.

Other accomplishments of Mr. High include being an Associate Minister of St. Elmo Missionary Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee; being inducted into the Hall of Fame of The Howard High School; and being a board member of the Erlanger Hospital-Southside Health Center.

Mr. High gives all credit to his loving and caring mother, the late Mrs. Florence High, and his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is the head of his life.