An “Entrepreneur for Literacy,” Brian Floriani lives and breathes his mission to transform literacy initiatives across the United States. In 2009, Brian established Bernie’s Book Bank, the largest provider of books to under-served children throughout Chicago. As Bernie’s Book Bank grew, Floriani knew he needed to not only help supply reading materials, but work towards eliminating the root of the problem, inadequate funding for literacy education and initiatives throughout the country.

To address this issue, Floriani established Freadom USA in 2020, as a purpose-driven, for-profit lifestyle brand, offering high-quality, responsibly made apparel and products, with 100% of the net profits going towards transformative literacy initiatives. By utilizing a rarely seen social enterprise business model (think Newman’s Own), Freadom is turning traditional approaches to social giving on its head, setting the audacious goal of investing $100 million to literacy initiatives annually.

Brian currently resides in Lake Forest, IL with his two children. Although his “job” never really stops, he also spends time serving as a board member for Craftsmen Cafe and 4 Coaches International. www.freadomusa.com