Princeton Honors James Mack For 'Profound Impact’ On Community

PRINCETON, NJ – Council on Monday honored longtime Princeton resident and barber James “Jimmy” Mack for his contribution to the community.

Born on May 3, 1931, in Roanoke, VA., Mack relocated to Princeton in 1952 after completing his service in the Navy.

Mack was a machine gun operator in the Korean War aboard the USS Midway.

There he discovered a new calling when he saw a notice for a barber on board, “igniting a passion that would shape his future,” according to the proclamation.

He joined his Uncle Claude and brother William, at Mack’s Sanitary Barber Shop on Witherspoon Street, where he honed his skill.

Mack opened Jimmy’s Barbershop at 141 John Street, creating a cultural hub.

“For over 50 years, Jimmy’s Barbershop has been a sanctuary of community, where the air vibrated with the hum of clippers, laughter, and soulful melodies, creating a vibrant tapestry of shared experiences,” according to the proclamation.

“Princeton’s African-American residents have a proud legacy, and Jimmy’s presence as a cornerstone of the Witherspoon-Jackson neighborhood symbolizes strength, perseverance, and self-sufficiency.”

Councilman Leighton Newlin thanked community members for attending and supporting the Mack family.

He called Mack a “great human, a great humanitarian, a good person, a great family man, a good friend, a mentor, and one hell of a barber.”

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