Alvin Irby is an award-winning educator, comedian, and the founder of Barbershop Books, a nationally recognized literacy program, that creates child-friendly reading spaces in barbershops. As a national speaker, Irby has inspired a movement to put children’s books in barbershops across America. He holds a Sociology degree from Grinnell College, a Masters in General Childhood Education from Bank Street College of Education, and a Masters of Public Administration from New York University. Irby has taught kindergarten and first grade in New York City public schools and served as Education Director at the Boys’ Club of New York. Irby has also received accolades as a stand-up comedian. In 2015, he was one of nine StandUp NBC national finalists selected to perform at the legendary Hollywood Improv in Los Angeles, CA.