Discover the inspiring story of Sidney Keys, founder of Books N Bros, as he prepares to embark on his college journey. Read an exclusive interview with Sidney at his going-away celebration and learn about his future plans for Books N Bros.
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“Seeing a Black boy on the cover of a book who looked like me let me know I could do anything. Being able to see yourself and relate was something I wanted for more Black boys like me. ”
— SIDNEY KEYS III, FOUNDER OF BOOKS N BROS
When he was just 10 years old, Sidney Keys took his love of reading to the next level by founding Books N Bros. Eight years have flown by, and now Sidney is preparing to embark on a new adventure as a college freshman. I had the opportunity to interview Sidney at his going-away celebration, where we discussed his upcoming college life and the future of Books N Bros.
LP: What’s next for Books N Bros?
Sidney: As I transition into this new stage of life, Books N Bros will also be evolving. We’re planning to transform it into more of a nonprofit organization, focusing on community service work with students, especially boys, to help them with academic and social skills. We’re still ironing out the details, but a major goal is to promote my book, which was published in January last year, ensuring it reaches everyone who wants to read it.
LP: How will you manage Books N Bros while attending college?
Sidney: Definitely, I’ll be bringing in other people to handle the day-to-day operations. I’ll be studying broadcast journalism, but I’m also very interested in education. I have an internship lined up with an education organization in D.C. during my second semester. I’m eager to explore my interests further, as Books N Bros started as a hobby and grew into a business. Now, I find myself advocating for literacy and education, and I want to see if being an educator is truly my calling.
LP: What inspired you to start Books N Bros?
Sidney: The inspiration came when I was 10 years old, and my mom took me to EyeSeeMe, a Black-owned bookstore in University City. I fell in love with the place instantly because I saw books with characters who looked like me. That experience led me to ask the owners if they had a book club. When they didn’t, my mom and I decided to start our own. Our Facebook Live video announcing the club went viral with over 65,000 views, and we seized the moment to create something impactful for our community. Thus, Books N Bros was born. Our first meeting in 2016 had about 6 or 7 boys, and I’m extremely grateful for the journey since then.
LP: What has Books N Bros meant for your personal growth?
Sidney: It has been instrumental in my personal growth. When I started Books N Bros, I had a severe speech impediment and stutter. Speaking in front of the group and on various stages built my confidence and helped me overcome my speech issues. While I worked with speech therapists, it was the constant practice and encouragement from Books N Bros that truly helped me conquer my fear of public speaking.
LP: How has Books N Bros changed the conversation around reading and literacy for Black youth?
Sidney: Books N Bros has destigmatized reading for Black boys, making it cool and highlighting the importance of representation. It shows them that if they can see it, they can be it, which is why getting these types of books into their hands is crucial.
LP: What excites you most about transitioning to college life?
Sidney: I’m excited about expanding my network and meeting like-minded individuals driven to create change. I’m interested in education, literacy, journalism, and politics. Going to college in D.C. will allow me to explore these interests further and collaborate with new people.
LP: What advice would you give to young people hesitant to start a business due to their age?
Sidney: Just go for it. Find like-minded individuals and just go for it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help to get started. Also, being young has its advantages. You can make mistakes when you’re 10 and not have to worry about your professional life. Find the people who want to help you create your village and let them know what your dreams are; they will likely pour into you 100%, especially if you’re serious about your goals. When I started Books N Bros, many of my friends also started their own businesses–things like owning vending machines and writing their own books.
LP: So, kind of a positive peer pressure among friends?
Sidney: Exactly. Let your friends know what you want to do, or that you’re already doing it and they can as well.
LP: How can people find Books N Bros?
Sidney: We are BOOKS AND BROS on all social media or go to our website at www.booksandbros.com. Our email, if you’re interested in collaborating, is info@booksandbros.com.
LP: Sidney, thank you for your time and best of luck to you as you transition from high school to college. American University is lucky to get you. We all will be looking forward to your next chapter and seeing what’s next for Books N Bros.
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