15 Black-Owned Local Bookstores to Support

What do we do now that Black History Month has come to a close? One thing our team felt we could do all year is shop at Black-owned bookstores. We are always reading and always wanting to think beyond Amazon.

According to book-industry analysis firm the Codex Group, three quarters of all books or e-books are now bought online, and more than half of all book sales are purchased on Amazon.

When COVID-19 hit in 2020, independent bookstores quickly felt its economic ramifications. Some shut their doors permanently, while others did their best to switch to online sales or alternative revenue sources like crowdfunding. One example is Oakland’s Marcus Books, the oldest Black-owned bookstore in the country that opened in 1960, which set up a successful GoFundMe campaign in order to keep its doors open last year.

Today, there are 125 Black-owned bookstores in the U.S., which make up a mere 6 percent of independent owned bookstores in the country. These indie stores are home to powerful and historically overlooked stories and vital voices of authors that need to be heard. Supporting local, Black-owned bookstores is more important now than ever.

Below we have highlighted a handful of these Black-owned bookstores that are a cornerstone in their communities and in the push for anti-racism in the United States.

Grassrootz Bookstore — Phoenix, AZ

Located in Phoenix’s Eastlake Park neighborhood, Grassrootz Bookstore is an activism focused bookstore and retail shop. Their catalog of Black authors include National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr., and American criminal justice reform advocate Alice Marie Johnson just to name a few. The bookstore doubles as a juice bar, and they focus on offering the community great literature, poetry, food, music, knowledge, and Black excellence.

Carol’s Books — Sacramento, CA

Carol’s Books offers a wide selection of book genres from antiracism, fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, current affairs, music, religion and spirituality, self-help, true crime, and sports. Prior to COVID-19, they hosted weekly readings and workshops in support of writers, filmmakers, screenwriters, and artists.

Malik Books — Los Angeles California

Malik Books is located in the historic Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall and has provided books to an underserved area of Los Angeles for more than 20 years. As an independent Black-owned bookstore, Malik Books specializes in literature, calendars, and gifts focused on cultural diversity. You can support Malik Books and help them keep their doors open by donating to their GoFundMe campaign.

People Get Ready — New Haven, CT

A bookspace for the community, People Get Ready prioritizes three core values: books, building, and beloved community. They focus on creating a space where people can buy, trade, share, and discuss books that might not be found elsewhere, such as books written by “authors of color, Indigenous authors, LGBTQ+ authors, bi/multilingual authors, local authors, and poets of all kinds.” In response to COVID-19, the bookstore pivoted to book pickups so that the community can still have access to the latest and bestselling reads!

AALBC (The African American Literature Book Club) — Tampa, FL

Dubbed the “oldest, largest, and most popular online bookstore dedicated to African-American and Black literature from around the world,” AALBC.com was founded in 1997 by Troy Johnson. AALBC is a well-known hub for author profiles, book recommendations, and discussions. Their hashtag #readingblack is an initiative to encourage readers of all ages and backgrounds to read books written by Black authors and to purchase those books from independent booksellers.

Medu Bookstore — Atlanta, GA

Located in the Greenbriar Mall in the Metropolitan Atlanta area, Medu Bookstore was founded in 1989 by Nia Damali. Today, it is the second largest Black-owned bookstore in Atlanta and specializes in culturally significant and hard-to-find books for its readership. The meaning behind the name “Medu” is the power of the word, which aligns with the mission to bring awareness and enjoyment through literature to the local community.

Da Book Joint — Chicago, IL

A Black, woman-owned bookstore on the Southside of Chicago, Da Book Joint offers a varied catalogue of titles by Black authors across all genres, including those writing Christian, children and young adult titles. Created in 2007, Da Book Joint prioritizes community building with its poetry readings, story time, and other events.

Between the Lines Bookstore — Baton Rouge, LA

Although they no longer offer direct book sales, Between the Lines Bookstore promotes literacy by providing connections between authors, readers, book clubs, and the local community. They have created a unique space for events and book signings, allowing the community to directly connect with authors and fellow readers.

Everyone’s Place — Baltimore, MD

Located in the Druid Heights region of Baltimore, Everyone’s Place offers something for everyone. From books, lectures, health food, clothing, jewelry, art, and fragrances, Everyone’s Place literally makes you feel right at home.

Detroit Book City — Southfield, MI

The doors of this brick-and-mortar shop opened in December 2017. They specialize in new and gently used books from local and national Black, independent authors with a focus on Afrocentric interest. This year, they are hosting their fifth “Annual African American Family Book Expo Author Showcase” virtually, where readers and supporters can meet and listen to Black authors from around the country share about their latest titles.

Willa’s Bookstore — Kansas City, MO

What began with a young woman with an avid love of books selling literature on the corner of 18th and Vine in Kansas City as a street vendor, has evolved into what is today known as Willa’s Bookstore. Founder Willa Robinson created her bookstore to spotlight rare and hard-to-find books from Black authors, as well as first editions and a variety of titles from mainstream authors. The bookstore also specializes in a rare collection of vintage magazines, jazz and Blues LPs, as well as Black history and literature.

Grandma’s Place — New York, NY

Named after Grandma Dawn, a New York City educator, toy lover, and Harlem entrepreneur, Grandma’s Place is a haven for the book lover seeking a reprieve from the hustle of the city. The children’s bookstore offers an array of books and toys that are multicultural, educational, and focused on special needs.

Fulton Street Books & Coffee — Tulsa, OK

A bookstore on a mission to change the city of Tulsa through civil discourse, Fulton Street Books & Coffee offers a space for coffee, community, and literature. The theme of their book catalogue is “the stories, narratives, and lived experiences of people of color and marginalized communities.” Founder Onikah Asamoa-Caesar moved to Tulsa as a Teach for America Corps member, and with the launch of Fulton Street Books, she mixes her passion for literacy with serving vulnerable and underserved communities.

Black World Books — Austin, TX

This independent Texas bookstore focuses on spotlighting Black culture by offering books, film, and art dedicated in support of the Black community. Black World Books Founder Maeva Jackson has a deep passion for self-knowledge and believes it is invaluable for the Black community to learn about their heritage and the reality of Black existence both historically and contextually. Black World Books is meant to serve as a support for Austin’s Black community in the journey of self-discovery.

Loyalty Bookstore — Washington D.C.

Located in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington D.C., Loyalty Bookstore focuses on diverse books and events in celebration of the Black and queer communities. Their priority is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that highlights diverse voices and creatives. In addition to books, they offer unique stationery, gifts, and programming.