Palmetto State Barbers' Association

Ellison founded the Palmetto State Barbers’ Association in 1960 with the goal of promoting the barbering profession as a means of obtaining economic self-sufficiency. Ellison saw the association as a way of unifying the licensed, professional barbers of South Carolina and as a way to raise industry standards by promoting the values of integrity, loyalty, trustworthiness, and education. Last, but not least, the association would be a service organization whose members would serve the communities in which they lived and worked. The association is heavily invested in our communities. We have established working relationships with local churches and other community service organizations to provide outreach services to the community. The association also makes charitable donations to other community outreach/service organizations. The association also works closely with the SC Legislature to ensure that the industry’s opinions are heard on any pending legislation that may have an adverse affect on the industry.