Category: All Posts

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

Classroom with chalk board that says Civil War

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.

Barbershop Books & The Elevate Prize Foundation

New York City-Based Barbershop Books Recognized as a Top 10 CNN Hero DuringCNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute for Work Toward Early Childhood Literacy. Barbershop Books to Potentially Receive Up to $50K in Matched Donations fromthe Elevate Prize Foundation Through January 5, 2024 New York City, N.Y. – (Dec. 10, 2023) – New York City-based Barbershop … Continued

Meet Barbershop Books partner Tommie Clardy Jr.! 

Tommie Clardy Jr. is the proud owner of Tommie’s Barber & Beauty, nestled in the vibrant city of Tucson, Arizona. With a remarkable 32-year career as a barber under his belt, Tommie’s journey is deeply intertwined with the local community. Tommie has been a Barbershop Books partner since 2019. Reflecting on the program Tommie said, … Continued

Man in blue jersey with a thumbs up standing in a barbershop

Meet Michael Blake, Our 10th Anniversary Host

Barbershop Books is celebrating a decade of helping the babies read 🎉 We invite you to celebrate this tremendous milestone with us on Wednesday, November 8th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Museum of the City of New York. Purchase your tickets here. Join us as we honor early literacy advocate and Barbershop Books … Continued

Blue and yellow background with stars. Photo of a black man sitting on a stool looking at the camera. Text reads Host

Meet Gregg Walker, Our 10th Anniversary Honoree

Barbershop Books is celebrating a decade of helping the babies read 🎉 We invite you to celebrate this tremendous milestone with us on Wednesday, November 8th, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Museum of the City of New York. Purchase your tickets here. Join us as we honor the early literacy advocate and Barbershop … Continued

Blue and yellow background with yellow stars. Photo of a man in the suit smiling.