STERLING, Ill. — Wahl Grooming has crowned Kevin Simmons of Gainesville, Georgia, as the winner of its 2025 Benevolent Beards Contest, honoring bearded men who blend great grooming with giving back. Simmons, a pediatric speech pathologist and volunteer sensory barber with the nonprofit ConnectAbility, will receive $5,000 for himself and $20,000 for the charity — and the title of Wahl® Man of the Year — at a free beard grooming event during the Atlanta Hawks basketball game on Saturday, November 8.
Now in its fourth year, the Benevolent Beards Contest celebrates men who use their beards for good causes. Simmons exemplifies this mission: inspired by the children he treats through ConnectAbility, he created a haircutting experience designed for individuals with sensory sensitivities, offering calm and comfort where traditional barbershops may not.
“I’m overwhelmed by the number of family, friends and acquaintances who embraced my cause and voted for me,” Simmons said, adding that he’s proud to stand alongside the contest’s other finalists.
Free Grooming Event for Fans
In celebration of Simmons’ victory, Wahl will park its large Mobile Barbershop outside Atlanta’s State Farm Arena on November 8 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. ET, providing free beard trims to fans. After tip-off, free trims will continue inside The SWAG Shop, where ticketed attendees can watch the game comfortably from barber chairs.
Honoring Bearded Goodwill Nationwide
The contest drew submissions from across the U.S., with five finalists selected and America’s votes determining the winner. Each showcased their own brand of “bearded benevolence”:
- Miguel Delvalle from Hartford, CT, once struggled with homelessness but he worked his way up to opening a barbershop in 2020. His path took a prophetic turn when he realized his shop was next to a homeless shelter. As he was getting the shop ready to open, men from the shelter would stop by for a free haircut. Word of his generosity soon spread and increased demand for free haircuts led him to launch the first ‘No Hair Left Behind’ event, and eventually to establish his own 501(c)(3) charity Scissors Society, Inc.
- Darren Thompson from Washington, D.C., decided his underserved community deserved a dog park, so in 2017 he established the East River Dog Park Group. After many years of hard work, this group of dog-loving neighbors finally cut the ribbon on their dog park on May 10, 2024. While they were working on the dog park, they decided to address other inequities, including outdoor movie nights, free breakfasts for school-age kids, teacher appreciation efforts and much more. The charity is on a roll with no plans to stop and is currently working to bring a farmers’ market to their community.
- Jesse Presson from Charlottesville, VA, is a U.S. Army veteran who knows firsthand the physical, mental and emotional challenges many veterans face once they come home. After leaving the military, Jesse struggled with a traumatic brain injury and PTSD; however, after undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), he experienced life-changing results. He now works for the Hyperbaric Wellness Foundation and is a passionate advocate for the foundation’s mission to make HBOT accessible to all veterans, especially those who may not have the means or know where to turn.
- Ryan Saunders from Seattle, WA, is the managing director of the National Film Festival for Talented Youth (NFFTY), a charity that serves as an inclusive launchpad for the next generation of filmmakers. More than just a film festival, it’s a collaborative space where young creators across socio-economic backgrounds can connect and build lasting relationships that fuel their careers. By centering peer-to-peer connection, the organization is empowering youth to drive systemic change and build a new, more representative vanguard for the film world.
The Wahl Benevolent Beards initiative encourages men to use their facial hair for positive impact. Contestants submit videos showing how they support charitable causes, with qualifying nonprofits required to be 501(c)(3) organizations.
Learn about the tips and tools to keep your beard looking its best at WahlUSA.com, or by visiting @WahlGrooming on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for expert advice.
