Black-Owned Bookstores to Support Right Now (and Always)

93 replies on “Black-Owned Bookstores to Support Right Now (and Always)“

• 

  Robyn Crawford

  June 2, 2020 at 1:18 pm

  Please add Eden Books: https://edenbooks.org, https://libro.fm/?bookstore=edenbooks

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 2, 2020 at 1:53 pm

    Hi Robyn, Eden Books has been added. Thank you so much for reaching out!

    Reply
    • 

      Nicole

      June 9, 2020 at 9:45 am

      Yes. Loving Me Books should be added. It is an online children’s bookstore. They accept special request of books for all ages.

      http://www.lovingmebooks.com

      Reply
      • 

        Kelsey Norris

        June 10, 2020 at 2:04 pm

        Added! Thanks, Nicole!

        Reply
• 

  La’Nae Robinson

  June 2, 2020 at 2:22 pm

  Please add Bliss Books & Wine
  http://www.blissbooksandwine.com
  https://libro.fm/blissbookswine

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 2, 2020 at 10:56 pm

    Hi La’Nae, thanks for reaching out! Bliss Books has been added.

    Reply
• 

  sprite

  June 2, 2020 at 3:27 pm

  Please add D.C.’s Sankofa Video, Books, & Café. https://www.events.sankofa.com/

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 2, 2020 at 10:55 pm

    Thanks for commenting! They’ve been added.

    Reply
• 

  Bayan

  June 2, 2020 at 4:33 pm

  Hi can you please post Nandi’s Knowledge Cafe in Highland Park, MI?

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 2, 2020 at 10:55 pm

    Thanks for letting us know! They’ve been added.

    Reply
• 

  Jo-Ann M Walsh

  June 2, 2020 at 6:24 pm

  Today I discovered Book N Crannies on Twitter. (@BookNCrannies) The website is: https://t.co/6rE2ODZAkk?amp=1

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 2, 2020 at 10:35 pm

    Thanks so much for letting us know! They’ve been added.

    Reply
• 

  Stephanie M.

  June 2, 2020 at 6:30 pm

  Elizabeth’s in Akron, OH (https://bookshop.org/shop/Elizabeths), founded by Rachel Cargle.

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 2, 2020 at 10:55 pm

    Thanks for commenting! They’ve been added.

    Reply
• 

  Miriam Kitson

  June 2, 2020 at 7:57 pm

  For Keeps Books

  Atlanta, Georgia

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 2, 2020 at 10:54 pm

    Thanks for letting us know! They’ve been added.

    Reply
  • 

    Julia

    June 5, 2020 at 1:14 pm

    Love For Keeps!

    Reply
• 

  Kathy R

  June 2, 2020 at 8:30 pm

  Check out Books and Crannies – booksandcranniesva.com!

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 2, 2020 at 10:36 pm

    Thanks for commenting! They’ve been added.

    Reply
• 

  Ran

  June 2, 2020 at 11:40 pm

  L.E.M.S Bookstore ( https://sites.google.com/keytechlabs.org/lemsbookstore/home ) in Seattle, WA. I don’t have first-hand knowledge, but according to a news article last year ( https://crosscut.com/2019/03/will-seattle-save-was-only-black-owned-bookstore ), it is “Washington’s only Black-owned bookstore and the last bookstore in the Pacific Northwest whose primary goal is to promote the literature, culture and knowledge of the African diaspora.”

  Reply
  • 

    Jenna Homen

    June 3, 2020 at 6:40 pm

    Thanks Ran! We added it.

    Reply
  • 

    Kristin

    July 16, 2020 at 6:38 pm

    I saw the article about the Seattle black-owned book store as well, and am not sure whether it is still open. I plan to email and check. We need more BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES. this is insane.

    Reply
• 

  Louisa Whitfield-Smith

  June 3, 2020 at 4:36 am

  Thank you so much for including Marshall’s Music & Book Store in Jackson, MS, the oldest continuously operated Black-owned bookstore in America. 82 years and counting! Owner operator Jone Primm does not currently have a good website, but anyone can place special orders for delivery or curbside by calling 601-355-5335. Jone has tracked down everything from THE PARKER INHERITANCE to BREAK EVERY YOKE to WITTGENSTEIN’S MISTRESS for me, and we do it all by phone. The website you list is not Marshall’s. Thank you for updating Marshall’s name, removing the website, adding the phone number, and for including Marshall’s located on Jackson’s historic Farish Street.

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 4, 2020 at 10:22 am

    Hi Louisa! Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The link has been removed and the phone number added. Have a great day!

    Reply
    • 

      Louisa Whitfield-Smith

      June 4, 2020 at 11:36 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
• 

  Darean Ellison

  June 3, 2020 at 5:11 am

  Undercover Books
  St. Croix USVI

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 3, 2020 at 3:33 pm

    Thanks, Darean! Undercover Books has been added.

    Reply
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• 

  Elisha

  June 3, 2020 at 9:25 am

  Please add Beauty & Brains Books to the list libro.fm/?bookstore=beautybrains

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 3, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    Hi Elisha, Beauty & Brains has been added. Thanks for reaching out!

    Reply
• 

  Christine Penn

  June 3, 2020 at 9:55 am

  I am a black writer, how do I get my books into these areas of business.

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 3, 2020 at 3:09 pm

    Hi Christine! You can see how Libro.fm works with authors here: https://libro.fm/authors. Thanks for reaching out!

    Reply
• 

  Verlean Singletary

  June 3, 2020 at 10:12 am

  Please add @dabookjoint in Chicago. Website under construction but will be up soon.

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 3, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Hi Verlean, thanks for reaching out! Da Book Joint has been added.

    Reply
• 

  Aleja

  June 3, 2020 at 10:58 am

  One more:
  Charnice Milton Community Bookstore at Busboys and Poets in Anacostia (DC)

  Reply
  • 

    Jenna Homen

    June 3, 2020 at 6:27 pm

    Updated! Thank you Aleja.

    Reply
• 

  Delores Williams

  June 3, 2020 at 11:16 am

  Please add “People Get Ready” in New Haven, CT…. https://peoplegetreadybooks.indielite.org/

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 3, 2020 at 2:42 pm

    Hi Delores, People Get Ready has been added! Thanks for reaching out.

    Reply
• 

  Brianne

  June 3, 2020 at 3:14 pm

  Hi there! Thanks so much for this list. I tried to change my account to be supporting Aframerican Bookstore in Omaha (yay! didn’t even know about it until now) but it’s not an option. Any ideas?

  Thanks so much!

  Reply
  • 

    Jenna Homen

    June 3, 2020 at 6:16 pm

    Hi! Glad you now know about Aframerican Bookstore! However, the bookstores with asterisks* are Libro.fm partner stores—so feel free to reach out to them to buy books directly from them, and ask them email hello@libro.fm to become an audiobook partner.

    Reply
    • 

      Brianne

      June 4, 2020 at 6:58 am

      Ah, ok that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for the extra information.

      Reply
• 

  Julie Ciezadlo

  June 3, 2020 at 5:17 pm

  Please add the Shop at Matter in Denver!

  @shopatmatter
  Shopatmatter.com

  Thank you!

  Reply
  • 

    Jenna Homen

    June 3, 2020 at 6:12 pm

    Updated, thank you!

    Reply
• 

  Casey

  June 3, 2020 at 8:01 pm

  Knowledge Bookstore – Toronto, Canada

  https://www.knowledgebookstore.com/

  Thanks for providing this list.

  Reply
  • 

    Casey

    June 3, 2020 at 8:09 pm

    Apologies, it is Brampton, Ontarion, Canada

    Reply
    • 

      Madi Mullen

      June 4, 2020 at 5:54 pm

      Hi Casey, thanks for commenting! We’ve updated.

      Reply
• 

  Allyson Aranda

  June 3, 2020 at 11:54 pm

  Legendary Coffee + Books in Stockton, CA!

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 4, 2020 at 5:55 pm

    Added! Thank you, Allyson!

    Reply
• 

  Fran

  June 4, 2020 at 2:42 pm

  Please add Harriets Bookshop in Philadelphia, PA: https://www.harriettsbookshop.com

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 4, 2020 at 5:45 pm

    Hi Fran! Harriett’s is listed above. Thanks for commenting!

    Reply
• 

  Donna Wells

  June 5, 2020 at 1:19 am

  Hello,
  Thanks for the information. Please add Brown Sugar and Spice in Romulus, Michigan. https://brownssbooks.com.

  Thank you.

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 5, 2020 at 11:02 am

    Added! Thank you, Donna!

    Reply
• 

  Helen

  June 5, 2020 at 1:57 am

  Do you have a list in the U.K.? Can I use librofm from the U.K.? Xx

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 5, 2020 at 11:14 am

    Hi, Helen! Membership is not currently available outside the US and Canada, but you can pay as you go for individual audiobooks from anywhere in the world! Find more info about how to get started here: https://blog.libro.fm/knowledge-base/general/. Thanks for commenting!

    Reply
• 

  ellen foto

  June 6, 2020 at 5:36 am

  MeJah Books in Wilmington, DE. https://mejahbooks.com/

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 8, 2020 at 8:17 am

    Added, with Claymont as the city (as per their website). Thank you, Ellen!

    Reply
• 

  Becky Masterman

  June 6, 2020 at 10:11 am

  Forgive if I’m repeating someone, but I just discovered African American Literature Book Club, an on-line ordering site, if you don’t have one of these stores close by. http://www.aalbc.com

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 8, 2020 at 8:20 am

    Thanks, Becky! AALBS is listed under the “Online” heading!

    Reply
  • 

    Troy Johnson

    June 24, 2020 at 12:00 pm

    Becky Thank you so much! AALBC has maintained a list like this for over 20 years: https://aalbc.com/bookstores/list.php It is great to see others doing the same thing to promote our business.

    Amazon (sorry to bring them up) won’t even so much a add a hyperlink to their own affiliates sites! This is why I boycott Amazon and have partnered with Libro.fm for audiobook sales on AALBC

    Reply
    • 

      Kelsey Norris

      July 3, 2020 at 10:49 am

      Thanks for your support, Troy, and for bringing this list to our attention. We’ve updated our list to include those on AALBC’s, and have linked their list up at the top!

      Reply
• 

  Mariel Eaves

  June 6, 2020 at 2:59 pm

  Please add Liberation Station in Durham, North Carolina!

  https://www.liberationstationbookstore.com/

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 8, 2020 at 8:23 am

    Added! Thank you, Mariel!

    Reply
• 

  Tracy

  June 7, 2020 at 7:27 am

  Maybe I’m missing reading it wrong, but I don’t understand the statement regarding Libro.fm storefront purchases directly supporting the bookstore. Don’t all purchases directly support the bookstore?

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 8, 2020 at 8:49 am

    Hi, Tracy! Proceeds for all print purchases made directly through the bookstores (linked) do support the bookstores. For listeners looking to purchase audiobooks, selecting the libro.fm storefront for the bookstore in question shares proceeds with the bookstore as well! You can find more info here: https://blog.libro.fm/knowledge-base/general/

    Reply
• 

  Laura

  June 7, 2020 at 12:32 pm

  Hi is there a way we can support multiple businesses at once with our purchases on libro? I know there is an option to divide it among all the bookstores, but is there a way to choose like 3 or 4? I’d like to give it to multiple black owned and/or queer owned bookshops.

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 8, 2020 at 8:58 am

    Hi, Laura! Unfortunately not, but you can support multiple stores by making audiobook purchases via different bookstores’ storefronts. You can switch the bookstore you support at any time at https://libro.fm/indies. A workaround is to occasionally switch the bookstore you support with your membership, or to temporarily switch your bookstore to make an a-la-carte or gift membership purchase.

    Reply
• 

  Nicole Garton

  June 8, 2020 at 6:53 pm

  Please add Reparations Club – they are Black-owned and curated, and have a robust offering of books by Black authors and POC. https://rep.club/

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 10, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    Added! Thanks, Nicole!

    Reply
• 

  Erika Deoudes

  June 10, 2020 at 4:26 am

  Harambee Books – Alexandria VA – https://harambeebooks.org/shop
  Dare Books – Longwood FL – https://darebooks.com/
  Black Dot Cultural Center – Lithonia GA – https://www.blackdotcc.com/
  The Listening Tree – Decatur GA – https://listeningtreebooks.com/
  Nubian Books – Morrow GA – https://www.facebook.com/Nubian-Bookstore-110668169013960/
  Olive Tree Books N Voices – Springfield MA – olivetreebooksonline.com/
  Everyone’s Place – Baltimore MD – https://www.facebook.com/everyonesplacebookstore/
  Wisdom Book Center – Gwynn Oak MD – https://wisdombookcenter.com/
  We Are LIT – Grand Rapids MI – https://wearelitgr.com/
  La Unique African American Books & Cultural Center – Camden NJ – http://www.launiquebooks.net/
  Books & Stuff – Philadelphia PA – https://www.booksandstuff.info/
  Enda’s Booktique – Duncanville TX – https://endasbooktique.com/
  Positive Vibes – Virginia Beach VA – https://www.positivevibesva.com/

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    June 10, 2020 at 3:31 pm

    MVP! Thanks so much for all of these, Erika! They’ve been added!

    Reply
• 

  Leah

  June 11, 2020 at 10:43 am

  Hi there! Thank you so much for this list. I’m curious if there’s a way to show which of the libro.fm partner stores have the most (and least) support on your platform? Maybe a graph at the end, or maybe a “# of supporters” after the name perhaps? (in a way that wasn’t dishonoring of course) Since there are none I’m familiar with firsthand on this list, I’d really like to support one that has less support, and therefore is potentially in greater need. Thank you for the consideration!

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 15, 2020 at 9:53 pm

    Hi Leah! Thanks for reaching out and for your support of Black-owned bookstores. Unfortunately, we can’t share the number of customers each store has through Libro.fm. However, we can share that Beyond Barcodes, Harriett’s Bookshop, and Pyramid Books have all become Libro.fm partner bookstores fairly recently. We hope this helps and thanks again!

    Reply
• 

  Tammy Clark

  June 11, 2020 at 11:21 am

  I’m not 100% sure LEMS bookstore in Seattle is still open. Their number has been disconnected, and I cannot find a new number or store hours at this time.

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 15, 2020 at 10:12 pm

    Hi Tammy, thank you for bringing this to our attention! They have been removed from the list. We appreciate you reaching out.

    Reply
• 

  Nikki

  June 15, 2020 at 7:07 pm

  Can you add SistahScifi http://www.sistahscifi.com in Seattle, WA

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 15, 2020 at 9:56 pm

    Hi Nikki, thank you for commenting! Sistah Scifi has been added to the list.

    Reply
• 

  Veronica

  June 21, 2020 at 4:03 pm

  Please add Good Books Atlanta (online only): https://www.goodbooksatl.com/ Thanks!

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    June 23, 2020 at 5:10 pm

    Hi Veronica! Good Books Atlanta has been added. Thank you for reaching out!

    Reply
• 

  Mahalia Crotz

  July 3, 2020 at 6:59 am

  Janco bookstore is out of business here in Las Vegas. Tried going to their location and it’s gone and there is no website for online orders.

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    July 3, 2020 at 10:48 am

    We’re sorry to hear this, but thanks for letting us know, Mahalia. We’ve removed them from the list.

    Reply
• 

  Amy Green

  July 4, 2020 at 3:16 pm

  Hello, do we know if any of the bookstores listed are in dire need of support. I’d love to purchase some books and support a business that is struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic. Thank you!

  Reply
  • 

    Madi Mullen

    July 9, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    Hi Amy, we recommend checking out bookstores’ social media to get an idea of how they’re doing. Thanks for supporting Black-owned bookstores!

    Reply
  • 

    Fatima M

    September 26, 2020 at 6:03 am

    Hi Amy,
    I’m not sure if they are in dire need, but I know in the last few months Uncle Bobbies in PA had some unfortunate things happen, including but not limited to having their windows busted out multiple times.

    Reply
• 

  Fatima M

  September 26, 2020 at 5:59 am

  Good morning,
  Please add Sscarlet’s Web an online bookstore and future pop up store. Pop up will be based in New York

  Reply
  • 

    Libro.fm

    September 30, 2020 at 9:36 am

    Added! Thanks for reaching out, Fatima!

    Reply
• 

  Nyasha Bryant

  November 2, 2020 at 12:39 pm

  Hello! Would it be possible to add Miss Read Books? We’ve recently become a Libro FM partner! 🙂

  Reply
  • 

    Jenna Homen

    November 2, 2020 at 1:04 pm

    Updated! 🙂

    Reply
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• 

  Jocelyn Slaughter

  December 29, 2020 at 11:14 am

  Hi there,

  We just opened in September. Can you please add us to the Online section?

  Stone Catcher Books
  Website: http://www.stonecatcherbooks.com
  Libro storefront: https://libro.fm/stonecatcher
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stonecatcherbooks
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stonecatcherbooks/

  We’re planning to do pop-ups in the Greenville, SC area in 2021.

  Thank you!

  Jocelyn Slaughter

  Reply
  • 

    Kelsey Norris

    January 4, 2021 at 12:32 pm

    Added! Thanks, Jocelyn!

    Reply
    • 

      Jocelyn Slaughter

      January 11, 2021 at 9:13 pm

      Thanks so much, Kelsey! Can you please add our Instagram? (We’re not on Twitter.). Thanks again for the partnership!
      Cheers-
      Jocelyn

      Reply