The number of Black owned bookstores has declined significantly since 1999. That year, there were reportedly more than 325. But, by 2012 had dropped to about 50. In 2017, the number rose to about 70. We’d like to acknowledge some of the stores that are still going strong.
Black Owned Bookstores
Hakim’s Bookstore (Philadelphia, PA)
Everyone’s Place (Baltimore, MD)
Eso Won (Los Angeles, CA)
Marcus Books (Oakland, CA)
Mahogany Books (Washington, DC)
Sankofa (Washington, DC)
Pyramid Art, Books and Custom Framing(Little Rock, AR)
Dare Books (Longwood, FL)
Pyramid Books (Boynton Beach, FL)
Nubian Bookstore ( Morrow, GA)
Source Booksellers (Detroit, MI)
Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe’ (Highland Park, MI)
Eyeseeme (University City, MO)
La Unique African American Books & Cultural Center(Camden, NJ)
The Community Book Center (New Orleans, LA)
Cafe con Libros (Brooklyn, NY)
Sisters Uptown Bookstore (New York, NY)
Grandma’s Place (Harlem, NY)
Zawadi Books (Columbus, OH)
Black Art Plus (Columbus, OH)
Black and Nobel (Philadelphia, PA)
Uncle Bobbies Coffee & Books (Philadelphia, PA)
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse (Philadelphia, PA)
Color Book Gallery (Philadelphia, PA)
The Pan African Connection (Dallas, TX)
The Dock Bookshop (Fort Worth, TX)
Black W0rld Books (Kileen, TX)
Harambee Books and Artworks (Alexandria, VA)
-Tony Oluwatoyin Lawson (IG @thebusyafrican)
Wow thank you so much
You’re welcome John!
Anyone know of any black owned bookstores in Charlotte, NC?
We Must Support Our Black Bookstores Because It’sVery Important That We Study Our Own Story Not (Hi)story. Amazon is Rich Enough, They Do Not Need Our Money. Our BlackBook Stores Really Need Our Support. Our Children Must Be Taught The Truth Of Our Ancient People. The Greatest Gifts We Can Give Our Children is To Purchase Books That Reflect Images Of Them. The Next Grea test Gift, Is To Remove Our Children Out Of The Schools Of Our Oppressors. Please Allow My Comments To Be Published.
The biggest obstacle to Afrocentric writers is distribution. If we are able to control our own distribution to the public, we’re on the road to success.
Tbe best way to do it would be to come together as a national syndicate to share the costs of promotional advertising. By seeing this “Post” you’re off to a good start and I will do whatever I can to help.
Please also note Underground Books in Sacramento, CA.
What about Abdul’s Books and Crafts store in Dayton Ohio?
What about all the black bookstores in Atlanta?
Do you know of any? I’m relocating to the Douglasville Georgia area
go to the Shrine of the Black Madonna in ATL on the west end
[…] https://shoppeblack.us/2018/11/black-owned-bookstores-2/ […]
Is Zahrah’s Books N Things still in Inglewood, Ca.? I have so many wonderful memories of going there and purchasing books, magazines and lovely artistic items for my home that were created by Black artists.
Thank you for this listing. But please also include Source of Knowledge Bookstore in Newark, NJ. They are a wonderful bookstore and has been serving Newark, NJ for over 20 years.
You are missing African Bookstore. We have been in business for 27 years. Check us out at http://www.africanbookstore.net. We are one of the first Black Owned Book Stores in the USA.
Pyramid books in Boynton beach FL is amazing.
https://www.africanbookstore.net/products.asp?cat=The+History+of+the+African+Bookstore
R.I.P. ANTHONY HORATIO HARRISON – 2/13/1933 TO 2/20/2017 — Anthony Horatio Harrison is an African-Jamaican, born on February 13, 1933 in Kingston Jamaica, and the founder of the African Bookstore. In the 1990’s Anthony Harrison, after working several years as a Precision Machinist, from the United Kingdom to the United States of America, always believed that his children along with his community should constantly engage themselves with constructive information. Through this firm belief he started to sell books. Anthony Harrison sold books from his vehicle from 1992 until August 1994, after that period he opened the first African Bookstore in Broward County, Florida. The store flourished and therefore with that success he continued to support and encourage economic stability, self-reflection, independence, and empowerment of the community. The African Bookstore has now taken on a more advanced approach through the new millennium by enlarging their website under new leadership. Anthony Harrison’s daughters who are educators, along with new Technological Executive personnel, are familiar with the dynamics of the Internet age, and so they continue to inspire others to read, and are firm believers in the educational process of self-knowledge and enrichment.
Yes Underground Books in Sacramento’s Oak Park community is an excellent bookstore! Atlanta and the surrounding area is perhaps the mecca of Black owned bookstores: https://aalbc.com/bookstores/index.php?statename=Georgia
Here is a list that includes some of the indie Black-owned stores that are missing. https://aalbc.com/bookstores/list.php
[…] Download .pdf here or purchase it from a Black-owned bookstore here […]
Please add The Key Bookstore in Hartford, CT.
Please include
The source of Knowledge bookstore
860 Broad st
Newark NJ 07102
And now The Lit Bar, 131 Alexander Ave, Bronx, New York
Akoma Novelties & Books in Owensboro, Ky!
Wanted to boost Sistah Scifi – an independent online bookstore owned by Black women focused on science fiction written by Black women. Our website is http://www.sistahscifi.com.
We host online book club discussion open to people from around the world!
Yes and view online website essences of jamal of Washington DC, essences of jamal.net
Please add Medu Bookstore in Atlanta Ga. It’s actually wonderful store that has been in existence for over 30 years, and truly is a staple of the Atlanta community.
Thank you
Don’t forget the Lit. Bar in the Bronx
There’s also AFRIWARE BOOKS in the Chicagoland area: https://www.afriwarebooks.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
You forgot Brain Lair Bookstore in South Bend, IN. https://www.brainlairbooks.com/
Hi, perhaps some of your bookshops would be interested in the UK’s new Black Book Festival where we will be launching How to Unlock Your Genius Using Black History in March 14th 2020.
https://simoneducation.com/books/
Shrine of the Black Madonna
Houston, Tx