The Michigan Barber School knows the ability to read is essential to a child’s success today and in the future. So with that in mind on May 4 it will join Barbershop Books to promote literacy in its shop.

Barbershop Books is a community-based program that creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops and provides early literacy training to barbers across the U.S. The goal is to help black boys ages 4-8 identify as readers by connecting books and reading to a male-centered space, and by involving black men in boys’ early reading experiences.

The goal is to change the narrative for young black boys in the community by increasing their access to culturally relevant, age appropriate, and gender responsive children’s books. According to the United States Department of Education, more than 85 percent of America’s black male 4th grade students are not proficient in reading.

“We are so thrilled to work with Michigan Barber School and other barbershops,” says Alvin Irby, Barbershop Books founder. “Together we are going to increase literacy among young Black boys in the city of Detroit.”

Michigan Barber School is the site of the Detroit launch to celebrate its participation in the Barbershop Books program. It is located at 8990 Grand River Ave.

“We are excited to welcome Barbershop Books to Detroit, the program has great potential for our boys,” says Lonnie Peek, CEO eBuisness Strategies and manager of the Barbershop Books Detroit Program.

  Alvin Irby, Barbershop Books, improving reading skills for black boys, literacy among black boys, Michigan Barber School