The owner of a barbershop in Ypsilanti comes up with a creative way to get young children to pick up a book. Kids who read to their barbers while in the chair can get a $2 discount. Haircuts cost $10.
As the barbers cut their hair, the children read aloud and are quizzed by what they read. Ryan Griffin, owner of The Fuller Cut, says children today spend a lot of their time doing nothing, or playing video games when they could be reading. Griffin says his program is not only giving young boys confidence, but now they think reading is cool.
Griffin's barbershop supplies a variety of books for kids to choose from to read while they are getting a haircut. Because most of the clientele is African-American, Griffin offers books that teach students about Black History or books that send a strong, positive message. Books like "Chocolate Me," "Big Hair Don't Care" and "I am Mixed" are among the hundreds of titles in the shop's library.
The program has been going on over a year now with both parents and kids enjoying the $2 discount off a $10 haircut.
