Alvin Irby is an award–winning educator, social entrepreneur, and author dedicated to inspiring lifelong readers. As Founder and Chief Reading Inspirer at Barbershop Books, he designs strengths-based literacy programs that empower Black boys and vulnerable children to read for fun. A National Book Foundation Innovations in Reading Prize winner and CNN Hero, Irby’s TED Talk about reading identity development has reached over 1 million viewers. Irby holds degrees from Grinnell College, Bank Street College of Education, and NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. Through humor, insight, and research-backed solutions, he addresses systemic literacy challenges with transformative impact.