Published March 18, 2024; republished May 22, 2024 and November 5, 2024
By KAREN LAGRANGE COX
Dominic Bourda has coached inner-city kids aged five to eighteen for the last sixteen years. His youth mentoring organization was intended to be named Mustard Seeds, but Barber Society Tarheels (BST) is the name for his basketball team through his organization.
Seventy percent of the team comes from financially disadvantaged families, so Bourda serves as a father figure for the young men and provides them with support from his family. He helps to bring stability to their lives, especially for those who don’t have a father or father figure at home. He guides his team members and fosters a sense of brotherhood among them, helping them build strong chemistry on and off the field.
Bourda proudly stated BST’s success stems from its authenticity. “The word LOVE is action; the word LOVE is being there in those dark moments to help shine God’s light,” he said.
When Bourda was asked why he started the Barber Society Tarheels, he replied, “When I was twelve years old and won my first championship, I had to borrow a dad to celebrate with, so the one thing I NEVER wanted my kids was to have those ill feelings and in doing it for my kids I ended up being support for the other kids.
In February 2024, four of his former players who were originally part of a group participated in a collegiate conference championship tournament held in South Carolina. They were now between nineteen and twenty years old.
Last year, in 2023, the Barber Society Tarheels became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, allowing them to accept donations that help fund the team’s travel, food, and uniforms.
Bourda is a barber at Fertile Grounds Beauty and Barbershop in Youngsville, Louisiana. He also lives in Youngsville with his wife Lakeshia and their five children.
Contact Dominic Bourda at (337) 342-0289 to learn more about the Barber Society Tarheels.
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