Today’s #BlackJoy Moment is about showcasing and highlighting the importance of Black-owned Bookstores!
During the 1960s and 1970s, many Black bookstores served as information centers for the Civil Rights and Black Power movement. Visitors would have access to a wealth of writing on Black culture, history, entertainment, and spirituality/religion. As public spaces, they also provide a space to feel free, organize thoughts collectively and individually, form communities, and support Black economics.
For me personally, Black Bookstores have become a space to work outside of my office, grab some yummy goodies and coffee, and link up with friends! Black Bookstores have also become a place to bring in authors for “Meet-N-Greet’s”, social gatherings, open-mic and game nights, and community dialogues!
Now as part of a personal mission a couple years back, I compiled a list of Black bookstores across the globe. This was done partly to provide a resource on the BFF site, to also set a personal goal of visiting as many as I could, and simply because I was just curious.
You can check out that list here !!
While on this journey of curiosity and joy, I have been able to visit a few local Black bookstores here in Richmond and the surrounding DMV, that I had to shout out!! See them below:
- The Book Bar RVA(Richmond, VA)
- Resist Booksellers (Petersburg, VA)
- Mahogany Books (Anacostia-Washington, DC/Oxon Hill-National Harbor, MD)
- Loyalty Bookstores (Silver Spring, MD)
- Everyone’s Place African Cultural Center (Baltimore, MD)
- Urban Reads Bookstore (Baltimore, MD)
So make sure you check these out if you are in the area, or any on the above list!! You are bound to find a good book, meet some cool folks, find a place of peace, learn something new, and be a part of a good cause!!
We are moving and shaking through these weeks, but there is still more #BlackJoy to spread!! See you tomorrow!!
Black Future Feminist 