Joziah Jason, a 10-year-old fifth grader, started a podcast to share his love of reading. Born in Michigan, Ypsilanti, known as READ Books with Joziah, offers book reviews and recommendations to his audience.
“Reading can take you pretty much anywhere you want to go,” Joziah said in an interview with Michigan Live.
His father Keith Jason takes care of the editing process. Nothing makes Keith happier than watching his son, a lifelong reader, share this passion with others. Both father and son discussed the social media barriers to launching the podcast and continued those conversations, including how to deal with negative comments.
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“You have to roll by a lot and let it roll off your back,” says Keith Jason.
Joziah Jason has run three episodes and holds a voice so passionate about the written word. His goal is to make his love of reading accessible to the wider community – Joziah and his father visit the Yspilanti Library and the Black Stone Bookstore to get involved in literature.
Joziah and the Read To the Barber program
Joziah’s podcast origins began when he was 6 years old. He began participating in the Read To the Barber program at Fuller Cut, a local Ypsilanti barber shop. The program gives children an incentive to read books to hairdressers and gives them a $ 2 discount in return. This valuable reading program gives many African American children an opportunity to see positive representation in both their community and their books.
Ryan Griffin and Alex Fuller were guests on Joziah’s most recent podcast, where they shared the origins of the Read to the Barber program. Ryan Griffin stated that this rewarding program began in 2015, along the lines of a program Griffin observed in Harlem.
“While I’m cutting my hair, I could be more productive with my time,” Fuller said on the podcast episode. “I had to be more responsible in my community.”
Alex repeated Griffin’s feelings. “When a child comes in and sees someone who looks like them and can read about them, that’s wonderful. Our barber shop only offers positive stories. “
Both Ryan and Alex applaud Joziah’s growth from Reading to Barber Subscriber to doing a book podcast.
“They are a prime example of how the circle is coming full circle,” explains Griffin.
Come and read with Joziah Jason!
Check out Joziah’s heartwarming interview with Ryan and Alex on READ Books with Joziah’s site. You’ll also hear his latest book reviews.
Joziah really does carry the torch to read.
