Reading is an excellent pastime, not only because it’s great for your brain, but because it’s also fun! When it comes to obtaining new reads, you could place an order with a major retailer online...or, you could support a small, Black-owned business that offers online shopping and shipping services with a personal touch. For great books that also help Black-owned bookstores stay afloat during these unprecedented times, here are a few of our favorite suggestions.
The Lit. Bar
Based in the Bronx borough of New York City, The Lit. Bar is owned and operated by Bronx native Noëlle Santos. The bookstore’s mission is "to create a haven that inspires reading, encourages healthy social connections, highlights diverse voices, and increases intellectual visibility in the Bronx." Though based in New York, you can support the shop online anytime.
Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books
This Philadelphia, Pennsylvania bookstore is co-owned by Temple University professor and BET News host Marc Lamont Hill, and was named after Hill’s uncle, who taught his nephew that words could help readers understand the world. Today, Uncle Bobbie’s is stocked with plenty of book titles for you to shop online, in addition to a typically thriving schedule of author readings and events.
Cultured Books
If you’re on the hunt for enlightening children’s books with important messages, be sure to check out Cultured Books. This St. Petersburg, Florida bookstore specializes in kids’ books with empowering narratives about People of Color. They also boast several titles about race, which position the topic in an engaging, child-friendly way.
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