Local businessman Antonio Brown has given out over 1,500 books to area youth as part of the Barbershop Book Club.
Brown, owner of Central Station Barbershop & Grooming in St. Petersburg, teaches kids how to read as they get their hair cut. If they read the book out loud to him, the haircut is free and they get to keep the book.
Brown believes reading can help kids deal with problems they may be facing at home or in school.
“What we are doing here with the Barbershop Book Club is preparing kids for life,” Brown said.
His program has expanded to 10 different barber shops and Brown hopes it will grow to be statewide.
