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Bernie’s Book Bank has been recognized as a Blue Hen 17&43 award winner. This prestigious award recognizes growing companies founded or led by University of Delaware alumni.

Our very own Founder and Chief Advancement Officer, Brian Floriani graduated from the University of Delaware in 1998 with a degree in entomology.

“The Blue Hen 17 & 43 Awards celebrate University of Delaware alumni whose leadership is fueling business growth and job creation,” shared Dan Freeman, Founding Director of the University of Delaware Horn Entrepreneurship. “The awards also recognize alumni founders who are working to solve customer, business and societal problems in new and consequential ways.”

Bernie’s Book Bank works to address the literacy crisis in America, a national problem that is solvable. In just 10 years of operation, we’ve distributed 16.5 million books to under-served children across Chicagoland to increase book ownership. Our ultimate hope is to empower these children to read their way to a better life.

“Winning this award is gratifying because it’s just another validation of the mission of Bernie’s Book Bank; more importantly it recognizes the hard work of so many people who have and continue to be willing to make sacrifices on behalf of others,” Brian shared.