One summer day two years ago, Sidney Keys III walked into the EyeSeeMe Children’s Bookstore in University City. He picked up the story of an African-American character who loved basketball, running a business and earning money. “It was magical because I could totally relate to the guy,” Sidney says. “It really opened my eyes. I realized everybody should have the experience of being inspired by a book.”
The Loyola Academy seventh-grader says he left the store with the kernel of an idea and decided to turn his love of reading into a calling of his own. He began looking for ways to bring the magic of books to kids who otherwise might not get a chance to catch the spark. With help from his mother, Winnie Caldwell, he founded Books n Bros, a reading club for African-American boys ages 7 to 13. The group meets to discuss books once a month for two hours, often at the library. It has expanded to include students from across the country. Those who live out-of-state get featured books shipped to them, and they join the group’s local discussions by video livestream.
The group focuses on stories about African-American figures, and works by black authors also are featured on the reading list. The budding entrepreneur says it’s a great forum to make sure the contributions of African-Americans are talked about year-round, not just during Black History Month. “It’s always amazing to hear about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, but we also like to learn about African-Americans from different angles, in different professions,” Sidney says. “We want to read about them not just in history books, but in other kinds of stories like science fiction.”
“We have voted on books to read in the past, but we also take members’ suggestions and switch up the genres,” Sidney says. “It might be fiction one month, then nonfiction the next. The one thing that makes people hate reading is when they get bored, so we want to keep that from happening.” Members have about a month to complete each book, and there are worksheets to help them retain what they’ve read.
Membership costs $25 per month, but families don’t have to pay if it’s a hardship, Sidney says. “Money should never be an issue when it’s about kids reading,” he says. “I wouldn’t want them to miss out on something they love.” Individuals and companies can support the group’s work by sponsoring readers through Chub Cares, a nonprofit Sidney and his mom started. “There are a lot of people supporting our readers because they care about students’ literacy skills,” he says. “We started the nonprofit because we didn’t want kids to have to choose between buying food and paying the membership fee.”
Since Sidney launched Books n Bros, his story has been told by Oprah Winfrey, Steve Harvey and others. “We get a lot of new members and interest every time we’re on the news or talk shows,” he says.
Sidney’s involvement with good causes doesn’t end with his reading club. Recently, he applied and was invited to join the board of Kidbox, a subscription-based clothing company that also provides apparel for children from low-income families. “I accepted the role because I like the fact that Kidbox is a really big donator,” Sidney says. “The company gives clothes to kids all over the country.” He attended its annual meeting in New York City this year and says he was inspired by others who love giving back. He met members who design cancer-fighting clothing and raise money to build homes for low-income families, among other things.
According to Sidney, he has several other interests outside books and boards. “My mom taught me about photography, and I have my own business taking pictures,” he says. He also loves swimming, soccer, traveling, movies and trying new restaurants. He doesn’t yet know where he would like to attend high school but says he probably will study photography in college. “I want to join nonprofit boards and start another education-based business, too,” he says. “I would like to keep offering a helping hand to kids from my generation because it makes me feel really good inside. I always say, ‘It’s the little things we do for each other that count. Take care of the people in your community, and they will become your family.’”
Sidney says he loves hearing tales of how Books n Bros has helped kids find joy in learning. “One member’s grandma told us his reading scores at school have rocketed since he joined the group,” he notes. “This kid always has a positive outlook; he’s never sad or mad. It’s great to see people so happy about something I started.”
The young entrepreneur’s plan is to keep Books n Bros growing indefinitely. “We really have something here,” he says of the group. “We want to make it even bigger so people won’t just see what is on the outside—some African-American boys reading literature. We want them to learn about all of the other great things going on under the surface.”
