EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES
THROUGH STORYTELLING

At Black Men Read, we’re changing lives and learning by exposing kids to powerful stories and powerful role models. Every child deserves to feel seen, loved, and valued. To make that happen, we elevate Black men as storytellers and community leaders. And we spark creative inspiration in our kids by sharing stories from across the African diaspora. Together, we’re helping our children re-shape their world and its possibilities.

yodit and son

We believe literacy, learning, and understanding our cultural richness cultivate the best in each of us.

We envision a beloved community where all children feel loved, seen and valued. We also believe in the power of oral storytelling, knowing it allowed communities to thrive before the written word. The BMR magic brings the stories in books to life by celebrating our rich Indigenous traditions. We hope our experience together will foster a love for reading and storytelling in our young leaders and their families.

Ours is a world where all children embrace reading and explore their world with curiosity, creativity, and confidence.

Ubuntu: I am because we are

Children of color make up more than half of the student population in U.S. public schools – yet about 80 percent of teachers are white and 77 percent of them are female. People of color make up about 20 percent of teachers; a mere 2 percent are black men. We are sorely underrepresented in classrooms.

And yet, studies show that all students benefit from regular exposure to black teachers. (Source: The74)

Black Men Read is filling the gap until our teachers reflect the diversity of our communities and while our models of education rise to meet learners in the 21st century. We invite you to step up as a role model and make a difference as an example of Black excellence.