The Barbershop Books Program | Alvin Irby

Alvin is the Founder of Reading Holiday Project, Inc. and Chief Reading Inspirer at Barbershop Books

Barbershop Books is a community-based literacy program that creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops for boys ages 4-8. Alvin and the Barbershop Books brand look to leverage the cultural significance of barbershops in Black communities to help black boys identify as readers. This innovative approach connects black men and families to black boys

Alvin Irby, an elementary teacher turned comedian / social entrepreneur, is a southern transplant living in New York City. In 2013, Irby founded Reading Holiday Project Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit literacy organization, and created Barbershop Books, a nationally recognized literacy program that places child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops. 

This innovative program has been featured on NBC, CBS, Black Enterprise Magazine and CNN. In addition to performing stand up and managing Barbershop Books, Irby gives motivational talks to middle and high school students and delivers keynote talks about cultural competency, early literacy, Black Male Achievement, and social entrepreneurship at national conferences across America.

Episode Outline

• Was being a teacher your dream as a child?
• What inspired your desire to teach?
• What inspired Barbershop Books?
• Where do you turn to for mentorship, coaching and support?
• Was the transition from your full time as a teacher to Barbershop Books a long process?
• What have been the biggest lessons you've learned about yourself through this transition from teacher to founder of the Reading Holiday Project?
• What do you do to get out of your own head with fears when the fear begins to creep in?
• What advice would you give to a teacher who has an entrepreneurial idea?
• How do you define success?
• What are you most grateful for right now?
• What is on your vision board for Barbershop Books for the next 5 years and beyond?

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