As part of our overall mission to support indie bookstores, we’ve been finding ways to bring attention to and highlight indie stores and Amazon alternatives since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and economic shutdown. In light of recent events, and the ever-present need to fight against racism and for true racial equity, we gathered suggestions from our readers to expand our list of Black-owned bookstores across the country. Whatever books you’re seeking, we highly recommend you start here at these invaluable cultural institutions. See something missing? We’ll keep updating this list anytime we get a suggestion, just email contact@mcsweeneys.net and use the subject line “support black-owned stores.”
California
Marcus Books
Oakland, CA
Ashay By The Bay
Vallejo, CA
Eso Won Books
Los Angeles, CA
Reparations Club
Los Angeles, CA
Malik Books
Los Angeles, CA
Underground Books
Sacramento, CA
Old Capitol Books
Monterey, CA
Florida
Cultured Books
St. Petersburg, FL
Dare Books
Longwood, FL
Eden Books
Newberry, FL
Pyramid Books
Boynton Beach, FL
Georgia
Brave and Kind Books
Atlanta and Decatur, GA
44th and 3rd Bookseller
Atlanta, GA
For Keeps Books
Atlanta, GA
Illinois
Afriware Books
Maywood, IL
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery
Chicago, IL
Indiana
Brain Lair Books
South Bend, IN
Louisiana
Community Book Center
New Orleans, LA
Massachusetts
Frugal Bookstore
Roxbury, MA
Michigan
Detroit Book City
Detroit, MI
We Are Lit
Grand Rapids, MI
Source Booksellers
Detroit, MI
Black Stone Bookstore
Ypsilanti, MI
Missouri
Eye See Me
St Louis, MO
New Jersey
Source of Knowledge
Newark, NJ
New York
The Lit. Bar
The Bronx, NY
Sister’s Uptown Bookstore
New York, NY
Café Con Libros
Brooklyn, NY
Zawadi Books
Buffalo, NY
North Carolina
Liberation Station Bookstore
North Carolina
Ohio
Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre
Akron, OH
Oklahoma
Fulton Street Books
Tulsa, OK
Mocha Books
Tulsa, OK
Pennsylvania
Black & Nobel
Philadelphia, PA
Uncle Bobbie’s
Philadelphia, PA
Hakim’s Philadelphia Bookstore
Philadelphia, PA
Harriet’s Bookshop
Philadelphia, PA
Books and Stuff
Philadelphia, PA
Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse
Philadelphia, PA
The Tiny Bookstore
Pittsburgh, PA
The Black Reserve Bookstore
Lansdale, PA
South Carolina
Turning Page Bookshop
Goose Creek, SC
Tennessee
Alkebu-Lan Images Bookstore & Gift Shop
Nashville, TN
Texas
Black Pearl Books
Austin, TX
The Dock Bookshop
Fort Worth, TX
Pan-African Connection Bookstore
Dallas, TX
Virginia
Harambee Books and Artwork
Alexandria, VA
Books and Crannies
Martinsville, VA
Washington
Life Enrichment Bookstore
Seattle WA
Washington, D.C.
Sankofa Video, Books, and Café
Washington, D.C.
Mahogany Books
Washington, D.C.
Loyalty Books
Washington, D.C. and Silver Spring, MD