Getting black boys to read

 Nice News - In 2018, no U.S. state had more than 19% of Black eighth grade boys reading at a proficient level, according to national data previously published in Sage Journals. And first grade teacher Alvin Irby is determined to change that. A decade ago, Irby founded Barbershop Books, which provides children’s books to barbershops in predominantly Black neighborhoods to encourage boys to read for fun. “So many kids associate reading with something you do in or for school,” Irby told CNN. “If the only place a kid practices piano is during a lesson, the progress will be slow. … Our program is about getting kids to say three words: ‘I’m a reader.’”

The nonprofit has brought more than 50,000 free kids books to over 200 barbershops around the country. Now available in nearly 60 cities in 24 states, it benefits about 10,000 children a year. Irby said he chose barbershops because the spaces are community hubs. He also involves the barbers, asking them to engage with kids about what they’re reading and help them get excited about it. “Our goal is not to turn barbers into tutors,” he shared. “This is an opportunity to provide boys with male role models.”