Founder Antonio Brown appeared on the Jennifer Hudson Show to discuss his mission to improve child & financial literacy through his Central Station Barbershop located in Tampa Bay and how his non-profit provides mentorships for young men in the community.
Originally aired on November 11th, Antonio expanded on his non-profit initiative, The Competitive Readers Coalition which gives children free haircuts if they read a book during their visit. This inspiration was born from the desire to want to read more with his son at home.
Later on in life, it has helped him become a success, and now that he has a daughter, he's helping her read and wants to instill that wisdom in her as well.
Antonio was also driven by concerns over the school-to-prison pipeline and low literacy rates in black men. So, he decided to act by leveraging his barbershop—a hub for black and brown excellence, generational wisdom, and constructive debate to ignite his passion to improving child literacy.
The environment of the barbershop not only fosters understanding but also provides a positive space for young men to grow and recognize their potential through a fresh haircut and the importance of routine self-care.
Watch the Interview
Website Link:
This Barber's a Triple Threat: Free Haircuts, Financial Literacy, and a Book Club! | JenniferHudsonShow.com
After their haircut, children can keep the book they've just read so they can build their own personal library. For seven years, Antonio has committed himself to the cause and is always happy to see the coalition grow every day with the community's support. Special Thanks to Jennifer Hudson Show.
Together We Can
Empower Minds, One Book at a Time.
How can you Help?
You have the power to make a difference. By donating, you can equip every child with the tools they need to succeed in their educational journey. Your generosity will help ensure that every child in our community has the opportunity to discover the transformative power of reading. So, let's turn the page towards a brighter, more educated tomorrow.
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