Author: Alvin Irby

Celebrate D.E.A.R. Day!

Barbershop Books and Urban Libraries Council Expand Reading Opportunities for Kids

Barbershop Books (BSB) and Urban Libraries Council (ULC) announce their partnership to expand reading opportunities for children in need through an innovative collaboration with four library systems: Cleveland Public Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Shreve Memorial Library and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.

10 More Books that Inspire Black Boys to Read (List #2)

Barbershop Books' new book list 10 Books that Inspire Black Boys to Read, provides parents and educators with a diverse collection of high-interest titles that inspire Black boys to read for fun.

5 Tips for Reading Aloud to Your Kids

Reading with your child is a wonderful bonding activity that will set them up for success. We put together some tips below to keep your child engaged. Want more examples of how to read to your children? Click here to watch our Chief Reading Inspirer Alvin Irby’s storytime series. 

Did you catch us on Today with Hoda and Jenna?

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day Barbershop Books was featured on Today with Hoda and Jenna. Our founder and Chief Reading Inspirer Alvin Irby, talked about the origins of Barbershop Books while at Harlem Masters Barbershop.

Alvin on the Laurie Daniel Favors Show

Barbershop Books founder and Chief reading inspirer Alvin Irby was a guest on the Lurie Daniel Favors Show. Lurie Daniel Favors is a racial justice attorney, author and non-profit leader.

How to Inspire Every Child to be a Lifelong Reader?

If you're like a lot of Barbershop Books supporters, you learned about our program through my TED Talk, "How to Inspire Every Child to Be a Lifelong Reader." Since then, Barbershop Books has grown significantly and greatly impacted Black boys and other vulnerable children, especially when it has mattered the most.

Meet William, a Reading So Lit Summer 2022 Youth Instructor!

Meet William! He's one of our summer 2022 youth instructors. He recently wrote us about his experience:⁠ "I hope this email finds you well! I’ve just started college this year, and on multiple occasions have thought about my experience working with everyone at Barbershop Books this past summer. I really enjoyed learning about ways to become a better mentor to young kids, and a better educator in general; I’ve even seen some of the aspects of what I learned translate to my classrooms up here in Troy! ⁠

Help Us Inspire 10,000 Black Boys to Read for Fun!

This year, we are adding more than 100 new barbershop partners, providing virtual summer literacy programing, and expanding our E-Library to include more diverse children’s book. Collectively, these efforts will reach more than 10,000 Black boys. Our goal is to raise $20,000 by midnight on November 29, 2022. Please contribute and join us in placing Black boys in the driver’s seat of their reading journeys. 

More Diverse Books? Yes, Please.

For decades, children’s books have failed to represent diverse characters, communities, and storylines on their pages.