BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Brian Womack and Wayne Williams are “positive entrepreneurs” and the operators of Headquarters Collective (HQC), a BIPOC business community center in the heart of downtown Bellingham.

Born and raised in Tacoma, Womack became a barber fresh out of high school. At 49, he has spent the last 30 years cutting hair.

He grew up cutting hair for friends in Tacoma—”gang members and all.”

In 2010, Womack was wrongfully imprisoned for 7 years and later released in 2016. He believes that although he was wrongfully imprisoned, he was rightfully placed, and karma put him there.

“Even though I wasn’t guilty of the crime that they charged me with, I was guilty of not being the man I should’ve been,” Womack said.

Being in prison didn’t prevent Womack from pursuing his dream of being a barber, and after he was released, he continued to work for that dream.

Brian Womack pictured following his passion of being a barber in his space at Headquarters Collective. Photo by Ellie Coberly

HQC was formerly a studio run by his godbrother. After their passing, Womack came to Whatcom County for a funeral and took notice of the empty space. The building’s landlord saw his vision and soon after, he added one barber shop and mirror to the space.

While in elementary school, Womack’s teacher went around the classroom and asked students what they wanted to be when they grew up. His first answer was a lawyer, which she shot down and advised him to “be more realistic.” So instead, he decided to become a people person, which she approved.

“40 years later I’m a people person and I was also a lawyer, because I had to fight my way in prison. I pro se’d my own case, I learned the language of the law,” he explained. “Everything I told her I wanted to be, I am today—even though she still tried to discourage me.”

Womack decided to be a barber because it is his passion, and he has seen it give people hope. However, the reason he stayed in Whatcom County dives deeper.

“What made me want to stay is I was placed out here by the universe for a reason, my foundation was really my main focus and kept me here,” he said. “The community needed something like Fatherhood the Foundation.”

Fatherhood the Foundation was organized by Womack to help fathers (and mothers) coming from prison acclimate back into society. He feels that Whatcom County severely lacks a black community, and it is his goal to build color on the block.

A shot of The Mothership, a VIP area and bar featured in the background. The hallway behind leads to Smash Alley. Photo by Ellie Coberly

“I think we’re the first in the community with a collective like this,” he said. “We’re the first barbershop with a speakeasy, and I’m the first African American business owner with a liquor license in Whatcom County.”

The Mothership, a newer addition to the collective, serves as an event space. HQC is also home to a tearoom, martial arts studio and rage room called “Smash Alley.” The latter two are run by Womack’s partner Wayne Williams.

The collective’s Smash Alley is one of the only rage rooms in Bellingham and potentially the region. Williams hopes that HQC feels like a safe space for everyone in the community no matter their color and recognizes the opportunity they have to leave a lasting impact.

Earlier this year a man was arrested after a racially motivated assault to a Black student. Following the incident, HQC got in touch with the family and brought them to Smash Alley for a session to let out their feelings in a safe controlled environment.

 

“I always tell people with martial arts movement is medicine, some people sitting down with a therapist and talking it out works for them,” Williams said. “A lot of people need to get out of their heads and get into their bodies and start moving—whether it’s in Smash Alley breaking TVs or upstairs hitting the pads, we have outlets for you.”

An inside look at Smash Alley. The rage room is filled with TVs, pottery and more; the material is supplied by HQC and donated by local businesses. Photo by Ellie Coberly

Williams is the general manager of HQC and works hard with Womack to bring new events and community opportunities to the space. Williams also hopes to leave a lasting impact on kids and families through HQC’s programs and fitness studio Bsmoov Fitness. He eventually hopes to speak at schools and share his own experience in pursuing his sports career.

Bsmoov Fitness offers different youth classes including Superhero Muay Thai, Striking Precision, Superhero Sparring and private lesson. The program is led by William’s persona, Wayne “Batman Smoov” Williams, and looks to encourage channeling a superhero essence while learning the martial arts fitness essentials.

Headquarters collective features weekly open mic nights on Wednesdays, raves and live shows. The two entrepreneurs hope to continue bringing the community together by supporting struggling youth, adults and anyone who needs someone to talk to.

For more information about Headquarters Collective, head to their website at headquarterscollective.com.

We are Whatcom is a weekly column featuring Whatcom County residents making a positive impact on the community. To submit a Whatcom County resident to be featured, click here.