I know firsthand how powerful it is to see our voices centered, not just included. Black-owned bookstores are one of the few places where our narratives are celebrated instead of marginalized. You’ll find works that explore our joy, our pain, our love, our resistance, our healing. And the best part? You’ll find books by authors that might not be widely represented in your local library or at big-box stores.
Supporting Black-owned bookstores isn’t just about buying books. It’s about preserving culture, investing in community, and reclaiming our stories. They’re also spaces where local authors are uplifted, children see themselves reflected in the pages, and where conversations about liberation and love happen organically between book lovers who have so much in common.
If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a great list of Black-owned bookstores, both in the U.S. and globally, that you can add to your must-visit list this fall and beyond:
North
Harriett’s Bookshop — Philadelphia
This book shop, named after Harriet Tubman and founded by Jeannine Cook, serves as a hybrid space: part bookstore, part art gallery, part monument. The inventory rotates monthly with thematic exhibitions (for example reparations), and the store hosts events including internships with local youth.
The Lit. Bar — Bronx, New York
Opened in 2019, this is the only independent bookstore in the Bronx. It combines a bookstore with a stylish social space (wine bar) that brings readers together. It’s also well regarded for its curation of books by underrepresented authors and as a gathering place for the community.
Midwest
Black Garnet Books — St. Paul, Minnesota
Started as a pop‑up, Black Garnet Books received a grant to open a brick‑and‑mortar location. Its founder Dionne Sims discovered there were no previous Black‑owned bookstores in Minnesota, which motivated its creation. The store is focused on literature by Black authors and community programming.
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery — Chicago, Illinois
A Black woman‑owned bookstore and gallery space that emphasizes art and literature together. It carries a mix of books by Black authors across genres, and supports community engagement through gallery exhibitions, programs, and online presence.
South
The Listening Tree — Decatur, GA
The Listening Tree, located on Candler Road in Decatur, Georgia, was founded by Omar and Kimberly Finley to promote literacy and Black representation in children's literature. They established Our Story Books Publishing and later The Listening Tree. The bookstore offers a Young Entrepreneurs Program for ages 8-16, teaching financial literacy and business skills. Through the B-Boys and B-Girls Book Club, members receive age-appropriate books and access to a virtual community.
The Book Bar — Richmond, Virginia
Located at 1311 East Main Street in Shockoe Slip (Downtown Richmond), this Black‑ and woman‑owned bookstore (also wine bar) is focused on centering Black, Indigenous, and authors of color. Opened in early 2022 by Krystle Dandridge, it features lounge‑style seating, book clubs, author events, subscription boxes, and nearly 99% of its inventory represents Black authors or Black characters/subjects.
West
Marcus Books — Oakland, California
One of the oldest Black‑owned bookstores in the U.S., Marcus Books has a long legacy of promoting African-American literature and culture. Despite challenges, it remains an important institution in the Bay Area.
Shop at Matter — Denver, Colorado
A Black‑owned bookstore in Denver that offers a well curated selection of Black literature, art books, children’s books, and community events. It acts as a hub for readers interested in diverse voices and community building.
Fulton Street Books & Coffee —Tulsa, OK
Funded by Onikah Asamoa‑Caesar, an educator and cultural activist, this café‑bookshop serves as a sanctuary, combining her love of books and Black liberation. It offers community, comfort, and curated literature.
International
New Beacon Books — London
Founded in 1966, New Beacon Books is the UK’s first Black publisher and specialist bookshop. It champions literature from Africa, the Caribbean, and global diasporas. Central to social and political movements. Check their website for events and open hours before visiting.
This bookstore specializes in Caribbean literature and its diasporic roots in Africa and India. Based in the Caribbean, it offers rare, out-of-print, and culturally significant works. Deeply rooted in the region, it reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving Caribbean heritage and knowledge. When you’re on the island, be sure to check their social pages or call to be sure of open and closed days. (As of this article, they are open Wednesday through Saturday).
Roving Heights Bookstore —Multiple Locations, Nigeria
If you’re going to Nigeria for Detty December, add a stop at Roving Heights to your itinerary. It’s a family-owned literary hub offering a wide range of fiction, non-fiction, and African literature. Known for its welcoming space and events, it promotes Nigerian storytelling, local authors, and a strong reading culture in the city.
Tusome Books —Winnipeg, Canada
Founded by Valerie Chelangat, this bookstore promotes intentional reading by amplifying underrepresented voices, including Black, Indigenous, queer, immigrant, and disabled authors. The store also offers book clubs, speaking engagements, and literacy programs through its foundation.
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