Johnnie Dwayne (J.D.) Upson, has been a barber in his native Jacksonville for more than 14 years at The Cut Above Barber Shop in Arlington, where he has overheard and served as witness to social issues in his community. So he didn’t hesitate when one of his clients, Jack Johnson, the Responsible Fatherhood Director at the Coalition, asked him to get involved with the Healthy Start Coalition’s Barbers for Babies project.

This week, Upson was recognized for his role in the Barbers for Babies program and as an advocate for improved birth outcomes on First Coast News as a  “Hero Next Door.”