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UK's First National Reading Hero Crowned
8 Apr
Summary
- Selina Brown named UK's first National Reading Hero.
- Founded Europe's largest celebration of black literature.
- Books placed in unexpected community spaces like barbershops.
Selina Brown, a mother of three and founder of the Black British Book Festival, has been honored as the UK's first National Reading Hero. Queen Camilla presented her with the inaugural Queen's Reading Room Medal in recognition of her dedication to promoting reading and storytelling within communities.
Brown, based in Birmingham, established the Black British Book Festival in 2021. What began as a small grassroots event has evolved into Europe's largest celebration of black literature, reaching over 100,000 people and supporting numerous black British authors. The festival is now held at The Barbican in London.
Through her Reading for Smiles program, Brown has introduced inclusive stories to primary schools in low-literacy areas, reportedly transforming children's engagement with reading. She has also opened two community libraries and implemented a unique scheme distributing books to places such as barbershops and takeaways.
Brown's debut picture book, "My Rice Is Best," exploring themes of food, friendship, and cultural identity, was shortlisted for prestigious awards. She has partnered with Pan Macmillan to publish books by black authors, emphasizing the importance of representation and celebrating diverse narratives for all readers.
