Hello, and thanks for stopping by!
Let me tell you a little about the mission of Neighborhoods, Barbershops and books (BNB) . BNB donates African American books within the African American communities, in order to help spread the importance of reading to children. With the hopes of re-inventing reading into the lives and daily routines of African American children. In order to do so, it is of vast importance that children not become consumed with video games, iPhones, etc. It is equally important for African American children to see and read about themselves, and the potential they hold in an positive way. Below are brief statistics to show the importance of reading for children.
STATISTICS:
During the summer break, low-income students lose more than two months of reading achievement.
About two-thirds of the 9th grade achievement gap between lower- and higher-income youth can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during the elementary school years.
As a result, low-income youth are less likely to graduate from high school or enter college (Alexander et al., 2007). Less than half of families read to their kindergarten-age children on a daily basis (West et al., 2000).
In 2012, the percentage of children in families with incomes at 200 percent or more of the poverty level who were read to 3 or more times per week by a family member (88 percent) was higher than the percentages of children in families with incomes at 100 to 199 percent of the poverty level (81 percent) and those in families with incomes below the poverty level (74 percent).
(Childstats.gov, 2015)
ABOUT THE TITLE
Barbershops was chosen because from my experience as a retired hairstylist, and being in barbershops for most of my adult life. I've found that young boys began to get their hair cut, much sooner than young girls. Boys, typically can start as young as 1 year of age, where as a young girl may not start until the ages of 8-10. Additionally, I've noticed in many area barbershops there you will find video games, ping pong tables, candy machines, television , music, newspaper and an array of magazines. Leaving nothing for our young men to do, but one of the mentioned above. But what about books, I thought. Why not allot them the opportunity to read a book while waiting for a haircut. Therefore, because boys typically get their hair cut much sooner. I felt that there was a need for books in barbershops oppose to hair salons ( at this point). However, I hope to extend this project to hair salons in my community at some point, very soon.
We are asking for donations of books so that we can reach as many children as possible. We just ask that books are new and in good condition. We except books for all ages, for both girls and boys. For more information on BNB feel free to email me at zainab99b@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Shannon Jackson
Founder of Barbershops, Neighborhoods, and books
