First Queen’s reading medal goes to Black British book festival founder Selina Brown

Selina Brown: ‘I built this from nothing. Just belief – and books.’ Photograph: Karmel Brown

Selina Brown has been named the inaugural National Reading Hero recipient of the Queen’s Reading Room medal, a new literary award unveiled by Queen Camilla.

Brown, founder of the Black British book festival, will receive the honour in recognition of her work establishing Europe’s largest celebration of Black literature and bringing inclusive stories into primary schools in areas with low literacy rates.