Summary
Selina Brown, founder of the Black British Book Festival, was named the UK's first National Reading Hero by Queen Camilla. The award recognizes her work promoting black literature and encouraging reading across communities. Brown's festival has grown significantly and is now Europe’s largest celebration of black literature.
Key Facts
- Selina Brown founded the Black British Book Festival in 2021 in Birmingham.
- The festival began as a small event and now takes place at The Barbican in London.
- Brown was awarded the Queen's Reading Room Medal by Queen Camilla.
- The festival reaches over 100,000 people and supports hundreds of black British authors.
- Brown also runs the Reading for Smiles program, encouraging reading in primary schools.
- She has opened two community libraries and places books in non-traditional spaces like barbershops.
- Her children’s book, "My Rice Is Best," was shortlisted for major awards.
- Brown works with publishers Pan Macmillan to publish books by black authors.
