Ssanyu Lukoma founded non-profit of Brown Kids Read at 13 years old. Brown Kids Read is an initiative to encourage children, particularly children of color, to read. Realising that her friends and peers were not supplied with diverse forms of literature, including literature about inspiring change-making individuals like Rosa Parks and Katherine Johnson, Ssanyu found it was her turn to make the change. A storyteller, entrepreneur and performer, Ssanyu has made her mark in her community and continues to spread her voice in achieving diverse opportunity and equality in reading, for all.

In awe of the work done by this young entrepreneur, Kebloom spoke with Ssanyu to further understand her initiative and it’s goals:

1) Please introduce yourself.

Hi, my name is Ssanyu Lukoma. I'm 15 years old, and I live in New Jersey.

“ Brown Kids Read’s message is that all kids need to read. However, there is a very large gap in diversity within the book world and we're trying to fill that gap.”

2) What is the name of your non-profit? 

The name of my non-profit is Brown Kids Read Incorporated.

3)    What is Brown Kids Read all about?

Brown Kids Read is a non-profit I started to motivate all children, but especially children of color, to read more diverse literature. We do this by creating free community reading events and through the Brown Reads bookshelf, a store completely filled with and featuring books that are written and/or featuring people of color. Brown Kids Read’s message is that all kids need to read. However, there is a very large gap in diversity within the book world and we're trying to fill that gap.

“Some advice I have for other entrepreneurs is, do not do it for the money.”

4) What passions inspired Brown Kids Read?

One of the passions that led me to start Brown Kids Read is my love for reading. I'm an avid reader and I will just sit down on the couch and read books for hours and hours. It’s one of the ways I love to pass the time, so I wanted to turn that into a way to help people.

I also love leading and being in charge of things, so Brown Kids Read is my way of being in control of what I do with my time and is also how I help people.

5) What were your goals when you first started your non-profit?

One of my goals when I first started Brown Kids Read was to just make a difference. It didn't really matter how I did it but I wanted to make a difference that had an impact on other people, especially young people. [Young people are] growing up in a time where there's so much technology that can take your attention away from things that are really important.

Books are a great way to pass the time and so, I wanted to bring books to life for children so they had an incentive to read more. That's part of the message for Brown Kids Read… that reading is a form of entertainment and that it's a really cool thing to do.

6) What are your goals now?

One of my goals for Brown Kids Read right now is to expand it all over the country as we're really just local to New Jersey, New York and possibly Pennsylvania. Part of my dream is for there to be Brown Kids Read vehicles that will go around and carry books to schools and give kids the opportunity to purchase them.

I also want people to be able to have free books. That's why I try to work with other organizations to get donations of books that I can give away to kids who can't necessarily afford them… I want people to read more especially young children.

7) Do you have advice for other young social entrepreneurs?

Some advice I have for other entrepreneurs is, do not do it for the money.

I know that a lot of teenagers will want to start a business just to make money. Brown Kids Read is something I really have a passion for. I love reading, I love business, I love making things come to life, and that’s why I created Brown Kids Read.

I would just really like to say to other kids to do something that you love in your heart and not just for the money. It can be really enticing, especially for teenagers. Do something because you love to do it, turn it into a business and make it profitable and the money will come. You just have to work hard and that'll only happen if you love something.

…and anything else you’d like to add!

If I had to add one more thing to say it would be that reading is important.

It may not seem like it is because there are so many other things we can do, but reading expands your brain and it gives you opportunities to make connections.

There’s a saying that reading comes to life and life becomes art. I really believe that. I think that it's important to read, to expand your knowledge and to expand your understanding of other people's situations.

About the Author:

Ellie McRae is the blogger, interviewer and content creator for Kebloom! When she’s not writing kick-ass articles, you’ll find her studying marketing and drinking copious amounts of coffee. Find out more about Ellie here.