Pasadena, California, has a literary space dedicated to Black writers, BIPOC voices, and the readers looking for them. Octavia’s Bookshelf opened on February 18, 2023, and is Pasadena’s only Black-owned bookstore. The cozy, thoughtfully curated shop reflects owner Nikki High’s belief that her neighborhood deserved a bookstore of its own. She had wanted a space like Octavia’s Bookshelf to exist for years. Eventually, she decided to build it herself. Meet Nikki High Nikki High

In downtown Homewood, Illinois, Beyond the Book, A Literary Experience brings books, creative work, entrepreneurship, and community programming into one welcoming space. The independent Black-owned bookstore opened on October 8, 2025. Its offerings include curated books, author events, book clubs, youth literacy programs, a professional podcast studio, and Beyond the Book Press. The bookstore serves readers, writers, entrepreneurs, and lifelong learners interested in discover

Black Bookstore Day is an opportunity to recognize the history, cultural significance, and continued impact of Black-owned bookstores while supporting the businesses and people carrying that work forward today. The inaugural celebration takes place Saturday, August 29, 2026, and there are plenty of ways to participate. Whether you’re a reader, bookstore, business, organization, author, publisher, or simply someone who wants to show support, there’s a place for you in the cele

Black bookstores in the United States have a history stretching back nearly two centuries, with deep connections to literacy, access, culture, community, activism, and Black freedom. For this Black Bookstores Through the Years history break, we’re going back to 1834 and the work of David Ruggles, an abolitionist, journalist, activist, and entrepreneur recognized as the first known Black bookstore owner in the United States. David Ruggles and the First Known Black Bookstore In

We’re headed to Chicago to feature Burst Into Books Community Art Space, a Black-owned bookstore, creative hub, gathering place, and community resource located in the city’s Roseland neighborhood. Founded by Jurema Nicole Gorham, Burst Into Books Community Art Space opened in June 2024 with literacy, arts, cultural programming, and community at the center of its work. Building a Village Burst Into Books was created from the belief that every child deserves access to books, sa

On July 31, Black Bookstore Day founder Dr. Latasha N. Eley Kelly traveled to the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka for the signing of a proclamation recognizing Saturday, August 29, 2026, as Black Bookstore Day in Kansas. The proclamation marks an important milestone ahead of the inaugural Black Bookstore Day celebration. Founded by Eley Kelly in 2025, Black Bookstore Day is an annual observance recognizing the history, cultural significance, and continued impact of Black-owned

On August 5, 2026, IndieBound published a feature on Left on Read, Kansas’ only Black-owned bookstore, and the story behind the founding of Black Bookstore Day™. Written by Zoe Perzo, the profile explores Dr. Latasha Eley Kelly’s lifelong connection to reading and storytelling, the purpose behind Left on Read, and the bookstore’s growth since opening in 2024. It also discusses Dr. Kelly’s vision for Black Bookstore Day and the importance of recognizing and supporting Black-ow

We’re continuing our celebration of Black-owned bookstores across the country with lazy &Lit., a New York-based bookstore founded by Candice McCoy. McCoy opened lazy &Lit. on February 14, 2021, bringing together her background in psychology, love of literature, and commitment to self-care. The bookstore pairs books with mental health and wellness resources, with a focus on helping marginalized communities de-stress, prioritize their wellbeing, and access information and educa

As we count down to the first Black Bookstore Day on August 29, 2026, we’re highlighting Black-owned bookstores across the country, the people behind them, and the work they’re doing in their communities. Our first featured bookstore is Loyalty Books, a Black- and queer-owned independent bookstore based in Washington, D.C. About Loyalty Books Founded by Hannah Oliver Depp in 2019 and co-owned with Christine Bollow, Loyalty Books was created as an intersectional feminist books

Black Bookstore Day was created to celebrate Black bookstores. Stores move. Websites launch. New locations open. Renovations happen. Anniversaries pass. Fundraising campaigns kick off. Programming, partnerships, and community events are ongoing. To capture your store's information and updates, the Black Bookstore Day website includes two forms. The first is the Black Bookstore Feature Form. This form is for Black bookstores that would like to be featured across Black Bookstor

Black Bookstore Day will be recognized in Wichita, Kansas. On August 18, 2026, the Wichita City Council will issue a proclamation recognizing the last Saturday of every August as Black Bookstore Day in Wichita. The first observance will take place on August 29, 2026. Wichita is home to Left on Read, Wichita’s independent Black-owned bookstore and currently the only Black-owned bookstore in Kansas. Left on Read was founded to amplify representation, cultivate perspective, and

Black Bookstore Day™ honors the long tradition of Black-owned bookstores as places where culture, history, learning, ownership, and community meet. Learn what the day means, why August was chosen, and how communities can prepare to celebrate the first Black Bookstore Day™ on August 29, 2026.