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

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

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