New literacy program in Champaign County being promoted through area barbershops

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) - The United Way of Champaign County launched a new literacy program called Books with Barbers.

The program is launching at A Cut Above Barbery Academy, led by Barber Carlos Harvey and Groom Culture, led by Barber Malik Dillard.

Each participating barbershop is stocked with culturally relevant books, shelving and signage. Barbers will be encouraging young people to read during their visit and reinforce positive reading habits.

Chief Impact Officer at United Way of Champaign County Bev Baker said, Books with Barbers brings literacy into spaces where trust already exists. "By partnering with Champaign Rotary and Books from Brek, we are putting books directly into the hands of children and reinforcing that reading belongs everywhere, including the barbershop."

The United Way said that nationally, 82 percent of Black male fourth graders are not proficient in reading. Locally, 8.7 percent of Black third graders in Champaign Unit 4 and 1.7 percent in Urbana School District 116 meet grade level reading standards.

Many families have limited access to good quality books, the United Way said.