Different travelers like different things once they’ve reached their destination. While some folks seek out the hottest restaurants, excursions, and live shows, your favorite bibliophiles are searching for something different. Black-owned bookstores are hidden gems in communities across the country and they have a slew of unique books to stumble upon. Here are a few Black-owned bookstores to visit for the book-loving traveler who loves literature from the African diaspora.
Brave and Kind Books – Atlanta, GA
Located in Atlanta, Brave and Kind is truly one of a kind. This Black-owned bookstore primarily caters to children and young adult readers. However, they have a few “grown-up books and things” for the adult traveler as well. You’ll find a wide array of literature here representing a diverse group of authors and writers. From traditional classics to new stories told by upcoming voices, Brave and Kind Books has an eclectic collection of books to grab when in Atlanta.
Mahogany Books – Washington DC
Founded in 2007, Mahogany Books in Washington DC is rooted in Blackness. The store is described as “unapologetically Black-owned” and is run by a family dedicated to helping gain exposure for Black voices in literature. This Black-owned bookstore is a great place to find stories written for, by, or about people of the African Diaspora. Owners Derrick and Ramunda believe books can empower communities and create new opportunities. Now, travelers of all ages can stop through the DC store to find inspiration in the pages of their next favorite book. The family also has another location in National Harbor.
The Salt Eaters Bookshop – Inglewood, CA
Many things make the Salt Eaters Bookshop in Inglewood special. The owner, Asha Grant, raised $81,000 through GoFundMe to open her bookstore. Now, the independently owned store is ensuring Black feminist stories are shared and heard. The Black-owned bookstore prioritizes non-traditional forms of literature including comics and zines highlighting Black women and girls. Grant opened the bookstore as a safe space for women and girls of color who loved reading, comics, and literature. The Salt Eaters is a resting place in the heart of Inglewood for every Black girl of any age who’s ever fallen in love with a good book.
Busboys and Poets – Washington DC
Another Black-owned bookstore in Washington DC, Busboys and Poets is a real hidden gem. Not only is it a bookstore, but it is also a restaurant and community gathering space with multiple locations. This unique hub for creativity, food, and community got its name from poet Langston Hughes who worked as a busboy at Wardman Park Hotel in the 1920s before ascending to literary fame. Today, Busboys and Poets has good food and good books to feed the souls of travelers and locals.
Read CBC – New Orleans, LA
This community bookstore in New Orleans has been open and providing access to literature since 1983. The Community Book Center prides itself on being more than a bookstore. In addition to having a ton of books by Black authors, the bookstore also consistently raises money to support independent, locally-owned bookstores.
Semicolon – Chicago, IL
Semicolon is Chicago’s largest Black-woman-owned bookstore. The owners are dedicated to bridging the literary gap between minority communities. They accomplish this mission by investing in books, writers, and the surrounding community. The bookstore opened in 2019 and is in the process of moving to a new location in Chicago. In the meantime, Semicolon’s online bookstore is still open and travelers can visit them again soon at their new location.
Blacklit – Dallas, TX
Located in Dallas, Blacklit Bookstore was originally inspired by another bookstore on the list. Owner Nia Turner-Clark was visiting Busboys and Poets in Washinton DC when she fell in love with being surrounded by books with people who looked like her. However, her happiness was interrupted when she realized she was well into adulthood before she ever realized the magic of curating spaces for Black books. Today, her bookstore is ensuring Black children and adults in Dallas have access to books written by and for people who look like them. Blacklit is helping to ensure that Black voices are represented and supported in Texas.
