Baltimore-Area Man Named Most Benevolent Beard in America, Celebration Includes FREE Beard Trims on RavensWalk prior to Baltimore Ravens Game
STERLING, Ill., Oct. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert Cradle from Odenton, MD, has been a barber for 40 years, and during that time he's transformed his passion for grooming into a mission of community service by creating Rob's Barbershop Community Foundation (RBCF), a charity focused on bringing grooming services, hygiene products and barber training to underserved communities. These good deeds earned him the Grand Prize in the Wahl® Benevolent Beards Contest, which includes $5,000 for himself and $20,000 for his charity. Robert will also be celebrated at a FREE beard grooming event when Wahl® parks its Mobile Barbershop on RavensWalk before the Baltimore Ravens football game on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. EST.
"After opening my own barbershop, I would hear from individuals at a nearby homeless shelter who couldn't afford my services, so I started raising money and paying my barbers to cut their hair," explained Robert. "The impact was immediate as the people we served got to experience the dignity and confidence that comes from a neat and clean appearance. This translated into job interviews, better school attendance and more. Today, my foundation has expanded to offer barber training and mentorship as well as an online database to help connect volunteer barbers with organizations and individuals who need support."
About the Wahl® Benevolent Beards Contest
Now in its fifth year, the contest is part of Wahl®'s ongoing mission to recognize and reward those who embody its philosophy of making the world a better – or 'bearder' – place to live. Bearded men from across America submitted videos of themselves explaining or demonstrating how they support a charity. Any 501(c)(3) organization working to make a positive impact on the world was eligible. Five finalists were chosen, and America's votes helped decide the winner. According to Robert, he's overwhelmed by the number of family, friends and acquaintances who embraced his cause and voted for him. He's also proud to be among this year's runners-up, each of whom has spread bearded benevolence in their own unique way:
For more information about the Wahl® Benevolent Beards Contest, or for facial hair tips and tools visit WahlUSA.com or @WahlGrooming on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, and @WahlPro on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. To learn more about how you can further support the contest participants' causes, visit their respective charity websites.
About Wahl® Grooming
Celebrating its 107 th anniversary, Wahl® continues to help men look and feel their best with innovative products manufactured to define and elevate the men's grooming category. The company set the standard with the first-ever practical electric hair clipper in 1919, and later strengthened its leadership with the world's first battery-powered facial hair trimmer. It's this continued commitment to excellence that has solidified Wahl's® place as the world's go-to brand for men's grooming solutions. For more information, visit WahlUSA.com.
SOURCE Wahl Clipper Corporation