BleagLee and Technovation Win $150,000 Each
PHILADELPHIA, April 28, 2025 – Barbershop Books has been named the grand prize winner of the 2025 Barry & Marie Lipman Family Prize. Chosen from approximately 150 applicants around the globe, Barbershop Books is the first of its kind community-based model committed to addressing literacy disparities with culturally responsive solutions. Founded in 2013, Barbershop Books has served over 15,000 children annually through its network of over 260 barbershops.
As the 2025 grand prize winner, Barbershop Books will receive $250,000 in unrestricted funds while additional winners Bleaglee and Technovation will receive $150,000. Each organization will also receive executive training and support from the Wharton School and the University of Pennsylvania. The 2025 winners were celebrated at the 14th annual Lipman Family Prize Award Ceremony held in Philadelphia, PA on April 24, 2025.
Lipman Founder Barry Lipman said, “This year’s winners exemplify what we look for in Lipman organizations — solutions that are grounded in community, fueled by innovation, and poised for growth. Barbershop Books, BleagLee, and Technovation are tackling complex challenges with creativity and care, and we’re thrilled to support their continued leadership.”
“The Barbershop Books team is honored to join the Lipman Family Prize network of impactful, global changemakers. Winning the Grand Prize is a testament to the tireless efforts of our team, the commitment of our program partners, and the inspiration we draw daily from the young readers we serve,” said Alvin Irby, Barbershop Books Founder and Executive Director. “The $250,000 award—and partnership opportunities with Wharton and the University of Pennsylvania—will help sustain our community-based programming and fuel our pioneering work inspiring Black boys and other vulnerable children to identify as readers.”
About the 2025 Winners
- Barbershop Books is on a mission to inspire Black boys and other vulnerable children to read for fun through child-centered, culturally responsive, and community-based programming and content.
- BleagLee fights climate change by using innovative waste inspection, collection and recycling solutions to address the issue of improper waste management in urban and rural communities.
- Technovation empowers girls to be leaders and problem solvers by using tech to solve big problems. AI and technology education are for everyone.
In addition to the $250,000 financial prize, all three Lipman Family Prize winners gain access to a growing network of changemakers and thought leaders to accelerate cutting-edge change worldwide. The Prize connects those on the cusp of great change with resources, skills and people power to expand the impact and influence of their ideas. Benefits include an executive education program, an exclusive opportunity to apply for the Lipman Nonprofit Leadership Scholarship in the School of Social Policy & Practice, pro-bono consultation from University faculty and staff, peer learning events, as well as expert- and student-driven research to inform and guide their work.
About the Lipman Family Prize
First awarded in 2012, the Lipman Family Prize is an annual global prize that advances creative solutions by inspiring people to think together in new ways. Administered by the Wharton School on behalf of the University of Pennsylvania, the Prize is committed to resourcing and connecting changemakers to bring innovative ideas to new places and problems around the world. Previous grand prize winners include iDE, READ Global, Breakthrough, Riders for Health, Soccer Without Borders, Women Against Abuse, MyAgro, World Bicycle Relief, Sanku, EarthEnable, CDD Society, Build Up Nepal and Seacology.
About the Wharton School
Founded in 1881 as the world’s first collegiate business school, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is shaping the future of business by incubating ideas, driving insights, and creating leaders who change the world. With a faculty of more than 235 renowned professors, Wharton has 5,000 undergraduate, MBA, executive MBA, and doctoral students. Each year, 100,000 professionals from around the world advance their careers through Wharton Executive Education’s individual, company-customized, and online programs, and thousands of pre-collegiate students explore business concepts through Wharton’s Global Youth Program. More than 105,000 Wharton alumni form a powerful global network of leaders who transform business every day. For more information, visit www.wharton.upenn.edu.
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