All Posts Archives

Celebrating Our Community: Highlights from the Barber Appreciation Dinner

Earlier this month, Barbershop Books gathered with barber partners from the Philadelphia area for a Barber Appreciation Dinner. Over plates of good food and plenty of smiles, we celebrated the barbers who transform their shops into fun reading spaces for Black boys in their communities. Their commitment helps thousands of boys build confidence, discover new … Continued

Black Philanthropy Month: Celebrating a Legacy of Generosity

August is Black Philanthropy Month, a time to uplift and celebrate the long-standing tradition of Black giving. Whether through church donations, community organizing, or supporting youth programs, Black communities have always invested deeply in building brighter futures — often giving more generously relative to income than other groups. The numbers tell a powerful story: This … Continued

Little Learners, Big Lessons: The Week I Taught First Graders About the Civil War

A Controversial Choice for Storytime Would you read a picture book about the American Civil War to a six- or seven-year-old child? Anyone who knows even a little about the horrors of war can imagine numerous reasons why this topic is generally considered inappropriate for children. But what if a well-crafted story about war, as … Continued

Barbershop Books Awarded $200K NewSchools Grant to Advance Reading So Lit Platform

Barbershop Books, a national literacy nonprofit dedicated to inspiring Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $200,000 learning solutions grant from NewSchools Venture Fund to advance the development and evaluation of Reading So Lit, a groundbreaking reading identity development tool for grades PK-5. This strengths-based reading intervention helps teachers create personalized reading experiences that recognize the whole child, their families, and the communities in which they live. It also accelerates reading achievement by improving social and emotional elements of reading, which research has shown to accelerate reading achievement among students experiencing poverty.

Barbershop Books, Inc. Welcomes Two New Board Members

Barbershop Books is delighted to welcome two new members to its Board of Directors: Heidi Hamilton, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Urban Resources Institute; and Mark Lowe, former attorney and Boston Public Schools educator. The board plays a crucial role in guiding our organization's mission to cultivate a love of reading and the reading identity of Black boys and other children of color. With their combined expertise and passion, Heidi and Mark will be instrumental in shaping our future and expanding our impact.

Barbershop Books, Micron Technology, and George Mason University Team Up for a Day of Impact at General Heiser Boys & Girls Club

We’re thrilled to share the highlights of a remarkable community event held on August 8, 2024, at the General Heiser Boys & Girls Club in Dumfries, VA. Barbershop Books partnered with Micron Technology and LEAP Team Up to create a day filled with literacy, STEM education, and personal grooming. The General Heiser Boys & Girls Club has captured the magic of the day in their latest newsletter, detailing the joy, excitement, and impact of this unforgettable collaboration. Dive into the full story and see how we came together to inspire and empower young minds!

Celebrate Love Your Bookshop Day By Supporting Local Bookstores

It’s Love Your Bookshop Day! In a world where online shopping and digital downloads are just a click away, the charm of a local bookstore might seem like a relic of the past. Yet, there’s something undeniably magical about stepping into a bookstore, the smell of freshly printed pages mingling with the soft hum of discovery in the air. On Love Your Bookshop Day, Barbershop Books would like you to remind you of the unique role these community hubs play in our lives and why supporting them is more important than ever.

Smooth the Back-to-School Transition With These 7 Reading Tips

As summer winds down, it's time to shift gears and get ready for the new school year. For many kids, that means dusting off their backpacks, sharpening pencils, and, of course, diving back into their reading routines. But how can we make sure they stay excited about reading during this transition? Here are seven practical tips to keep the love of reading alive as school starts up again.