Antonio Brown, owner of Central Station Barbershop and Grooming in St. Petersburg, FL, is doing more than cutting hair—he’s shaping futures. With a mission to boost literacy rates among Black and Brown children in his community, Brown launched a book club that offers kids free haircuts as a reward for reading.
Partnering with The Competitive Readers Coalition, Brown’s initiative is simple yet powerful: children reading a book at the barbershop can earn up to 24 free haircuts annually. This innovative program has welcomed over 15,000 young readers and inspired ten other barbershops to join the movement, intending to expand to 500 shops across Florida.
“Reading is so important when it comes to understanding life,” Brown says. “We’re preparing kids for life with the barbershop book club.”
Brown’s story is a testament to second chances. Once involved in street life, he turned his life around after facing legal troubles and pursued a career in barbering. Now, he’s using his platform to uplift his community, teaching the next generation literacy and financial skills.
Central Station Barbershop is more than a place to get a fresh cut—it’s a hub of encouragement, empowerment, and education.
Read more about this inspiring initiative, and follow Antonio Brown on Instagram.