[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E208-E209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING TAMPA BAY'S TRAILBLAZER ANTONIO BROWN, IN HONOR OF BLACK 
                             HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2024

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today during Black History 
Month with appreciation of St. Petersburg native, small business owner 
and youth advocate, Antonio Brown. Through Mr. Brown's dedication to 
increasing children's literacy, especially Black and brown children, 
our youngest neighbors are empowered through stories and given the 
opportunity to turn the page on their lives to a new chapter filled 
with quality education and opportunity.
  Mr. Brown was born in the Child's Park neighborhood of St. 
Petersburg, and he comes from a community-minded family. Mr Brown's 
grandfather led recreation centers across the country and his 
grandmother helped babysit many neighborhood children. He was raised in 
a single-parent household and attended Boca Ciega High School and later 
took college courses at St. Petersburg College and St. Pete Technical 
College where he earned his plumbing certificate. In 2009, Brown 
graduated from the American Institute of Beauty.
  Mr. Brown is a proud father of his son, Jaelyn and anecdotally, he 
strives to be a better man and father than the example he had.
  Early in his career, Mr. Brown began as a telemarketer but knew this 
was not his calling. After spending time in meaningful reflection, he 
specifically thought about what was important to his life as a Black 
man and the impactful lessons his grandmother instilled in him while 
caring for children, bringing his new dream of becoming a barber and an 
impactful father to fruition.
  While navigating fatherhood and an 18-month program to become a 
master barber, Mr. Brown knew his mission in life was to serve his 
community, particularly Black and brown youth. In 2015, he successfully 
opened his Barber Shop--Central Station Barbershop & Grooming--and in 
2016, he began the Barbershop Book Club where kids could `grow up in 
his chairs' and be surrounded by a positive environment that solidified 
their path for a chance at a better life.
  When kids walk in for haircut at his Barber Shop, they have the 
option to receive their service for free, if they read a book aloud 
throughout the duration of the haircut. The children walk away with a 
fresh haircut and a new book to keep at no cost. In an effort to teach 
financial literacy, Mr. Brown encourages the families of the children 
to put the money they would have spent on the haircut, in a bank 
account for their child.
  Mr. Brown curates a selection of books that are `culturally relevant' 
and have characters that children recognize themselves in and stories 
that would teach them positive messages to do good in the world. After 
nine years of service to the St. Petersburg community through the 
Barbershop Book club, Mr. Brown has given out over 1,500 books and 
haircuts and expanded his shop to 10 different locations.
  Mr. Brown's work with children's literacy has sparked local 
partnerships between beloved

[[Page E209]]

bookstores in the St. Petersburg area and notably the Shirley Proctor 
Puller Foundation, Junior League of St. Pete, and the Juvenile Welfare 
Board to ensure every child that comes to his Barber Shop has the 
opportunity to enhance their literary skills.
  When Mr. Brown is not at the Barber Shop serving local children, he 
serves his neighbors as the 13th President of St. Pete Heights 
Neighborhood Association, a St. Petersburg Sunshine City Ambassador, 
and a Pinellas Barbering College Instructor.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the St. Petersburg community, I am proud to 
recognize Antonio Brown for his selfless community service and 
dedication to fostering a safe environment for children to grow and 
thrive. Mr. Brown's commitment to increasing childhood literacy is a 
priceless investment helping our future generations one haircut at a 
time.

                          ____________________