BY: Yasmine Malone | May 31, 2024
Clarksdale, Mississippi – Giving back to the community without seeking anything in return is a deeply fulfilling experience for Joshua “RatTheBarber” Ratliff. As a local business owner and entrepreneur, Joshua finds joy in seeing people smile and appreciate his efforts. This spirit of generosity inspired him to establish the RatTheBarber Scholarship, a program aimed at supporting graduating seniors in their educational and career pursuits.
Joshua Ratliff, the owner of New Wave Studio located in downtown Clarksdale, has used his entrepreneurial success to fund various community projects, including the RatTheBarber Scholarship. “Being an entrepreneur allows me to be my own person and decision-maker,” Joshua explains. “That’s why I’m able to afford and undertake multiple projects, such as this scholarship.”
Balancing his business, family, and community responsibilities requires meticulous time management. “I manage my business, fatherly, and husband duties by having a set schedule at work and being on time every day. My time is money and my life! While I still face challenges, I try my best to overcome them daily.”
Joshua leads New Wave with a dedicated team, including his wife, Shada Jakes Ratliff, who handles all the paperwork while Joshua focuses on hands-on tasks. “It feels wonderful to have a team and be a leader, but it can also get very frustrating. I often find myself stuck in my head, asking, ‘Am I really doing enough?’ But I have a great team, and we plan to continue being great in our careers while serving the people.”
This year, the RatTheBarber Scholarship proudly announced its recipients: Harlem Bell and Takahara Kiora. Honorary recipients include Henderson Clark, Ari Anderson, Jontrayvious Ball, and Andrea Williams. Joshua has clear expectations for the scholarship recipients. “My hope for all recipients, past and future, is to remember the small people who helped them along the way, myself included. I want them to be appreciative and productive in their lives. Seeing them give back to their individual communities one day will show me that my hard work has paid off.”
To qualify for the scholarship, graduating seniors must meet a specific GPA requirement and submit a 500-word essay explaining how the scholarship will assist them in achieving their life and career goals. They must also outline their career aspirations and describe how they plan to contribute to their community in the future.
Joshua’s commitment to his community extends beyond the scholarship. “I face challenges, but I try my best to overcome them daily,” he says. His dedication to managing his business, fulfilling his family responsibilities, and supporting his community exemplifies the spirit of giving that the RatTheBarber Scholarship embodies.
For Joshua, giving back is not about seeking recognition but about making a meaningful impact. “It feels amazing to give back to the community and not look for anything in return,” he says. “Just to see people smile and appreciate me is enough.”
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Photo Credit: via Joshua Ratliff FB
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