Meet Lyric Thompson, a Summer 2024 Community Reporting Fellow
Thompson will be doing community reporting work in New Orleans this summer as part of the Lede New Orleans fellowship program.
By Nala Henderson
In May, Lyric Thompson graduated from Stevenson Academy of Hair Design in Algiers, where he was studying to become a barber. Thompson, who grew up in Metairie, watched his mom and aunt work with hair when he was growing up. His uncle runs his own barber shop.
“Doing hair is in our blood,” Thompson said, smiling.
Thompson said graduating with his own certification this spring meant a lot to him because it’s one of the many ways he’s working to improve himself. For him and his family, barbering is both an art form and a way to build a business and support yourself independently.
Thompson, 22, is passionate about improvement, both for himself and his community. While he pursues barbering, he’s also working as a security guard for a local security services firm. Thompson exercises frequently — often sharing his workouts and words of inspiration with his followers on social media — and is vegetarian. He said he wants to inspire others to pursue a healthy lifestyle. In his free time, Thompson studies the Bible and gathers information and stories about his family’s roots and heritage.
I spoke with Lyric Thompson to learn more about his interests and reasons for joining the fellowship. Here’s what I heard. Note: This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
What is one thing others should know about you?
I strive to just try to get better in every aspect that I can control in some way possible every day. Like basically, right now, I’m trying to learn more about where my people come from originally. The Bible has been helping me do that.
You’re big into fitness. Why?
I’m very into fitness. Very into my health. I want to make it to at least 80 years old, so I’ll live a gentle life. I gave up meat for longevity and I try to live a stress-free life as much as possible. Stress can kill you. I have a deep understanding of that. I like to pride myself on being calm, cool and collected.
What do you love about New Orleans?
I enjoy that Southern hospitality, like, greetings when Louisianians see each other. I enjoy how valued respect is as well.
What is most challenging about living in New Orleans?
The “pull down the next man so I can get up” culture. There’s a lack of support amongst others [and businesses] in our community. We don’t want to support each other. We’d rather just keep going to the big establishments and like any big box stores instead of looking at each other to fulfill our needs.
Time for a fun personality question: If you were a vegetable, what would you be and why?
I’ll be a red bean. I like red beans. They are nutritious and delicious.
Nala Henderson, 20, is an actor and director from New Orleans. She is a Summer 2024 Community Reporting Fellow with Lede New Orleans.
This article is available to republish under a Creative Commons license. Read Lede New Orleans’ publishing guidelines here.
Support Lede New Orleans and its community-centered reporting by becoming a supporting donor.
To get weekly emails with New Orleans stories and events, sign up for Lede New Orleans’ newsletter.
