Boys Archives

We’re a Tools Competition finalist!

Barbershop Books is a Tools Competition finalist! We are one of 16 finalists in the Transforming Assessments track for our SEL-based reading identity exploration and assessment platform: Reading So Lit. The Transforming Assessments track of the Tools Competition supports tools that capture traditionally unmeasured elements of learning to better meet the needs of educators, children, and families.

We made it to the Discovery Round of the VITAL Prize Challenge! 🎉

We are excited to announce that Barbershop Books’ Reading So Lit Program has advanced to the Discovery Round of the VITAL Prize Challenge! The VITAL Prize Challenge is a multiphase challenge that supports teams developing learning technologies to build K-12 learning innovations for adoption nationwide. This $6 million prize challenge, administered by Digital Promise, is … Continued

Program Coordinator Spotlight

Meet Barbershop Books’ Philadelphia Program Coordinator Cynthia Richards! Cynthia is a lifelong Philadelphia resident. She is a proud alumna of Virginia Tech where she earned her bachelors degree in family and child development. She has spent most of her career working in community based organizations serving children and families. Cynthia is a wife and the mother of three boys. She loves to cook, craft and read.

Celebrate D.E.A.R. Day!

April 12th is D.E.A.R. Day! Standing for Drop Everything and Read Day, this special day is about putting aside all distractions and dedicating 30 minutes to reading! D.E.A.R. Day commemorates the memory of author Beverly Cleary. In her book “Ramona Quimby, Age 8,” the main character, Ramona, establishes a nationwide initiative called D.E.A.R Day. Now … Continued

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.

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! ⁠

Category: Boys