Historically, Black-owned bookstores have served as a meeting place for community activities, activism, and literacy programs. While they only make up about six percent of the 2,500 independent bookstores in the nation, this number has increased from an all-time low of 54 stores in 2014 to 149 bookstores in 2023. Here is a mix of long-standing and newly established bookstore locations across the U.S.

Comma Bookstore & Social Hub (Flint, MI)

Community organizer and activist Egypt Otis decided to start Comma Bookstore & Social Hub in 2020 with hopes of providing a platform for those who haven’t had a space to congregate while downtown. 

With a hearty supply of BIPOC books as well as local art and products, check them out on the corner of Buckham Alley and 2nd Street, or go to their website for a list of events.

Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery (Chicago, IL)

Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery is Chicago’s only Black woman-owned bookstore, which is located at 515 N. Halsted St, Chicago, IL. Entrepreneur DL Mullen curated this shop, which doubles as an art gallery and community space, intending to raise literacy rates in Chicago. 

For all updates, check their website. 

Black Stone Bookstore & Cultural Center (Ypsilanti, MI)

With a storefront in Ypsilanti’s downtown area, Black Stone Bookstore & Cultural Center is the only bookstore in the area that specializes in African-American books and culture. 

Carlos Franklin and Kip Johnson opened it with the hopes of being a community hub–hosting poetry slams, book signings, and other events to support local authors. Visit them at 214 W Michigan Ave. 

Marcus Books (Oakland, CA)

Marcus Books — the nation’s oldest black-owned bookstore — was launched in 1960 by the late Dr. Raye Glibert Richardson and Julian Richardson inside their San Francisco printing shop for the sole purpose of sharing Black thought, history, and knowledge. They’ve hosted authors like Toni Morrison, Angela Davis, Muhammad Ali, and Maya Angelou among others. 

Over 60 years later, Marcus Books is now owner by their daughter Karen Johnson, and other family members, while being lauded as a literary and cultural hallmark. 

44th & 3rd Bookseller (Atlanta, GA)

44th & 3rd Bookseller was started by Warren, Cheryl, and Allyce Lee in 2017 to be a source for an unbiased and diverse collection of Black literature. Visit for leisure, or to attend one of their author events next time you are in Atlanta at 451 Lee Street SW, Unit B. 

Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature & Culture Museum (St. Augustine, FL)

Skip Richardson and Gigi Best-Richardson were traveling booksellers in 1997 and eventually settled down in St. Augustine, FL after having served military and civilian communities worldwide. Their focus is historical and genealogical topics, while also providing clientele with information on the African diaspora’s rich literary and cultural history. This nonprofit location is a museum, bookstore, and gift shop all in one! 

If you are unable to visit them at 30 St. George St., Suite A, you can also support them online. 

Black Pearl Bookstore (Austin, TX)

A family-run bookstore started by Katrina and Eric Brooks, Black Pearl Bookstore began in 2019 as an online and pop-up shop. They were able to lease their own space at 7112 Burnet Rd in 2022, continuing their work of offering important, inclusive, and even restricted stories, to those around them. 

In their efforts to promote literacy and access to educational materials, they have garnered continued success and become a pearl of sorts to the Austin community. 

Cafe con Libros (Brooklyn, NY)

With the intention of creating a space that reflects and affirms her own womanist values and intersectional identity, Kalima Desuze launched this intersectional feminist bookstore, coffee shop, and community space in 2017. 

While they welcome everyone, they are dedicated to centering and uplifting those who identify as women. “I wanted to build a space that is completely and unapologetically dedicated to feminist texts, narratives and authors,” she told Black-Owned Brooklyn in a previous interview. Check them out at 724 Prospect Pl.

Mind’s Eye Comics (Burnsville, MN)

Eric Childs had been an avid customer for years before becoming the owner of Mind’s Eye Comics in 2018, making it the only Black-owned comic book retailer in the state.

“What really sets us apart is that we don’t just carry Marvel and DC, but also independent publishers and self-published books,” he told a Minnesota publication, pointing out that he likes to curate material assembled by marginalized voices alongside some of the more well-known print options. 

Hakim’s Bookstore & Gift Shop (Philadelphia, PA)

Philadelphia’s oldest Black-owned bookstore was conceived in 1959 by Philly native, scholar, and activist Dawud Hakim at a time when bookstores dedicated to African-American literature were mostly nonexistent. This location became a ground-breaking source of rare books and periodicals at the time as well as a center for black activism in the 1960’s. 

After his passing in 1997, his work was carried on by his family. You can visit them at 210 S 52nd Street.

Parable (Tacoma, WA)

Le’Ecia Farmer, LaKecia Farmer, and Deatria Williams christened Parable after one of their favorite books by Octavia E. Butler titled, “Parable of the Sower.”

Being family-oriented, and Black, LGBTQ, and woman-owned, they sought to create a space for underrepresented groups, specifically mentioning BIPOC and disabled LGTBQ+ groups, as well as local talent. 

They offer a curated selection of handmade products. books, plants, records, clothing, and even hot tea.

Fulton Street Books & Coffee (Tulsa, OK)

Another coffee shop/bookstore combo for your consideration: Fulton Street Books & Coffee was created by Onikah Asamoa-Caesar as a “love letter to her younger self.” This is another feminist-owned shop that aims to center the narratives of Black and marginalized people. 

If you’re in the mood for books, coffee, or a healthy dose of civic discourse you can support them when their new location opens at 21 N. Greenwood Ave on December 1st.

Sistah Scifi (Oakland, CA)

With science fiction being a white, male-dominated genre in the majority of bookstores, Sistah Scifi is a breath of fresh air for those looking for books written by Black women, including works in genres like science fiction, magic realism, Afrofuturism, and much more.

Founded by Isis Asare, you can visit them at 1721 Broadway #201. 

Grassrootz Books and Juice Bar (Phoenix, AZ)

Arizona’s first and only Black-owned bookstore, Grassrootz, opened in 2019 after having been started by Ali Nervis in a hallway at the Afri-Soul marketplace in Phoenix. It is activist-owned, and functions as a juice bar and co-op space for Black people in the community. 

Nervis has said that he wants to create a blueprint for other cities regarding economic growth and networking for them to follow. “I want to build wealth for black people and help remedy the problem at the root, and it starts with business,” he told Patch.

Visit them at 1145 E Washington St #200 or learn a bit more about their mission here.

Liberation Station Bookstore (Raleigh-Durham, NC)

The idea for Liberation Station came about in 2019 after Victoria Scott-Miller and her son, Langston, had trouble finding children’s books by Black authors or featuring children of color while visiting a national chain bookstore.  

They opened the doors to their downtown location on Juneteenth weekend in 2023, promoting hand-picked stories that center around Black children and families. Find out more information about them on their website, or visit them at 208 Fayetteville St Suite 201, Raleigh, NC.