Patrick Jenkins was born in Lafayette, Louisiana, and raised in the “Big Four Corners Country” of Jeanerette, Louisiana. He graduated in 1984 from Franklin Senior High School. He moved to Albuquerque, NM, in 1986, received his barber’s license in 1992, and opened a barbershop on Kathryn and San Mateo. It was a small shop, with one barber, and was the best-known barbershop in Albuquerque’s Southeast area.
Pat soon realized he wanted to share his love of barbering with the world and in 2006, and opened a barber school, A Better U Beauty/Barber Academy, at 4915 Lomas Boulevard. By 2018, Two-Hundred Fifty (250) students graduated and were working in the industry, Pat decided it was time to expand. He purchased and remodeled 5400 Phoenix Ave NE, and it became the new home of ABU Beauty/Barber Academy.
Pat is also very involved with the community and is a member of the following:
- 1st Assistant to Bishop David C. Cooper – New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church
- EAC (Executive Advisory Council) Member – New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church 2019
- Executive Board – WESST Enterprise Center Advisory, Money Tree Project
- Director of MOVE, Men of Valor Everywhere Men’s Group – New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church 2019
His awards include:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Community Award – Grant Chapel AME Church 2018
- HERO Award – State of New Mexico Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) 2017
- Citizenship Award – New Hope Full Gospel Baptist Church 2015
- Community Business Leadership 2011 – Sheryl Williams Stapleton, State of New Mexico House of Representatives