We are genuinely excited to be handing the reins of The Banned Book Shop to the esteemed Dr Santarvis Brown. We could not be happier to have someone as passionate about education and free access to literature as Dr Santarvis Brown to take The Banned Book Shop into the next chapter and beyond. What started as a passion project from thousands of miles away on the east coast of Australia is now under USA ownership, something that needed to be done to continue and grow as a protest movement in the US.
Dr. Brown’s achievements across education, leadership, and global influence include:
- Lifetime Achievement Award — Presented by President Biden (reported).
- Recognized as a “40 Under 40” and featured as a Top Black Educator by Legacy Magazine.
- Top 100 Global Leaders in Education — by the Global Forum on Teaching and Learning (2020).
- Excellence in Education Award (2021).
- International Association of Top Professionals – Top Educator Award (2023).
- Brainz 500 Global List, Passion Vista Who’s Who of the World, Education 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award (all 2022).
- Named “Most Inspirational and Transformative Higher Education Leader of the Year 2025” by CToday Awards.
We are incredibly proud of the success of this little online store so far and will be watching from Australia as it grows into the sort of shining light that we always dreamed of. We reached out to Dr Santarvis Brown for an interview to help give some context as to why he decided to buy The Banned Book Shop and what plans he has for the future, take a look:
As an educator, what role have books played in shaping how you teach, think, and engage with the world?
Books have been my first teachers and my most honest mirrors. Long before I ever stood in front of a classroom, books taught me how to listen to voices different from my own, how to sit with discomfort, and how to ask better questions rather than rush to easy answers. As an educator, I don’t see books as static objects or curriculum requirements—I see them as living conversations. They shape how I teach by reminding me that learning is relational, that truth is often complex, and that growth comes when we’re willing to wrestle with ideas that challenge us. Books have trained me to engage the world with curiosity, humility, and courage.
What first drew you to The Banned Book Shop, and what ultimately made you decide to become its owner?
I was first drawn to The Banned Book Shop because it felt like more than a bookstore—it felt like a stand. A declaration that stories matter, that voices matter, especially the ones that make people uncomfortable. What ultimately led me to become its owner was a sense of responsibility. I couldn’t shake the feeling that spaces like this don’t survive by accident; they survive because someone chooses to protect them. Owning the shop felt less like a business decision and more like answering a call to safeguard a space where truth, imagination, and freedom of thought are taken seriously.
Why do you believe a bookshop dedicated to challenged and banned books still matters today?
It matters now more than ever. When books are challenged or banned, it’s rarely just about the text—it’s about whose experiences are deemed acceptable and whose are silenced. A shop dedicated to these books is a reminder that democracy, education, and justice all depend on access to ideas. This shop says we trust readers. We trust young people. We trust communities to think critically and compassionately. In a time when simplification and censorship feel tempting, this space insists on complexity and honesty.
What values do you hope The Banned Book Shop will continue to stand for under your ownership?
I want the shop to stand firmly for intellectual freedom, inclusion, and dignity. I hope it remains a place where people feel seen, challenged, and welcomed all at once. A place that honors stories from the margins, defends the right to read without fear, and believes that literature can be both disruptive and healing. Above all, I want it to embody courage—the quiet, steady kind that keeps showing up even when it would be easier not to.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of the shop and the community around it?
So there you go! I know Dr Santarvis Brown has some big plans ahead, watch this space!