Alvin Irby Is Making Reading Fun — One Barbershop at a Time

He’s redefining what it means to make reading cool for young Black boys.

Meet Alvin Irby — an award-winning educator, author, entrepreneur, and the self-proclaimed “Chief Reading Inspirer” at Barbershop Books, a nonprofit that’s turning community barbershops into literacy hubs for children. The Arkansas native and former kindergarten teacher has dedicated his life to empowering Black boys to read for fun and to see books as a reflection of themselves and their communities (Because of Them We Can).

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From the Classroom to the Barbershop

Based in New York City, Irby founded Barbershop Books in 2013 after noticing a critical gap in how reading was presented to Black boys. While teaching in the Bronx, he saw many of his students—bright, curious, and energetic—struggling to engage with reading materials that didn’t speak to their identities or interests. “It wasn’t that they didn’t want to read,” he told The Washington Post, “it’s that they didn’t see themselves in the stories.”

The concept for Barbershop Books came to him one day while waiting for a haircut. Looking around the shop, Irby saw a safe and trusted space filled with boys, fathers, and community members—an ideal place to plant the seed of literacy. “I wanted to create reading moments in spaces where Black boys already feel comfortable,” he explained to NPR. “The barbershop is more than a place to get a haircut—it’s a cultural cornerstone.”

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Building a National Literacy Movement

Barbershop Books operates with a mission “to inspire Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun through child-centered, culturally responsive, and community-based programming and content” (Black Enterprise). By providing kid-friendly reading corners stocked with diverse, engaging books, Irby’s initiative reimagines barbershops as spaces of learning and pride.

In recognition of his impact, Irby was named one of PepsiCo Foundation and Doritos SOLID BLACK’s 2023 Black Changemakers, a program celebrating leaders who are driving change in their communities (PepsiCo Foundation). Each honoree receives a $50,000 grant, leadership development support, and specialized training to strengthen their community impact. The initiative also helps address systemic inequities in funding, as Black-led nonprofits typically receive 24% less revenue than those led by white peers (Forbes).

Irby is using these resources to grow his literacy movement. “I envision a future where every Black barbershop in America has a child-friendly reading space,” he said. “Barbershop Books is addressing the lack of Black male reading role models by supporting early literacy in Black barbershops.” Currently, less than 2% of K–12 teachers are Black men, according to Education Week, leaving many Black boys without male role models in early education.

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Expanding Partnerships and Impact

To further his mission, Irby has partnered with the Urban Libraries Council to support four major library systems in establishing child-friendly reading areas in 40 barbershops across the U.S.—including Cleveland Public Library, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Shreve Memorial Library in Louisiana, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in North Carolina (Because of Them We Can).

The collaboration aims to connect local barbers with librarians, creating a pipeline for early literacy engagement that meets children where they already are. “Libraries and barbershops have always been community anchors,” Irby said. “Bringing them together just makes sense.”

For his groundbreaking work, Irby will be honored with the SXSW Community Service Award, recognizing leaders who use innovation and creativity to serve underserved populations (SXSW). Over the next three years, he plans to expand the Barbershop Books network to more than 500 barbershop partners nationwide and provide early literacy training to over 1,500 barbers.

His vision is clear: “We’re working to create a world where every Black boy stands bold in his brilliance and embraces reading and learning as a part of who he is,” Irby told Because of Them We Can. “At its essence, Barbershop Books is a national movement to amplify, affirm, and celebrate stories and experiences that help Black boys and other vulnerable children thrive.”

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Changing Narratives, One Page at a Time

Barbershop Books is now seeking new partners in Harlem, the Bronx, Philadelphia, Shreveport (LA), Cleveland, Columbus (OH), and Charlotte, with hopes of expanding even further in coming years. The organization invites barbers, librarians, and community leaders to get involved and bring the joy of reading into their local shops.

What started as one teacher’s observation has become a nationwide literacy revolution. Alvin Irby’s mission reminds us that reading can—and should—be joyful, communal, and deeply rooted in cultural identity.

We love what you’re doing, Mr. Irby. Keep inspiring the next generation, one barbershop bookshelf at a time.