State Of The Black Bookstore Report And Directory Launches

The National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB2) launched its first State of the Black Bookstore Report together with the launch of the National Black-Owned Bookstore Directory. The report and listing provide the primary complete overview of Black-owned bookstores nationwide.

The newly launched listing identifies Black-owned bookstores throughout the United States, together with brick-and-mortar shops, cellular bookstores, pop-up distributors, and on-line sellers. It serves as a precious useful resource for readers, educators, authors, publishers, and trade leaders. Together, the report and listing highlight the economic and systemic challenges that Black-owned bookstores face nationwide.

The report finds that there are at the moment 306 Black-owned bookstores within the United States, making up about 8% of all impartial bookstores nationwide. Currently, 14 states don’t have any Black-owned bookstores, highlighting gaps in entry to Black-centered literature. Additionally, 36% of Black-owned bookstores operate without a brick-and-mortar location. The report additionally reveals a major improve within the variety of Black-owned bookstores in recent times, regardless of ongoing challenges threatening their long-term survival. Despite this progress, 90% of Black-owned bookstores report annual revenue underneath $250,000. 

“The progress of Black-owned bookstores throughout the nation displays the energy and relevance of those establishments at this time,” Kevin Johnson, founder and board chair of NAB2, stated in a press launch. “By bringing this data collectively, we’re making a basis that helps their continued presence and informs how the trade engages with them,” Johnson stated.

NAB2 board member Yvonne Black, proprietor of Hakim Bookstore in Philadelphia, certainly one of America’s oldest Black-owned bookstores, highlights the cultural significance of the mixed report and listing. 

“Black bookstores have all the time accomplished extra with much less,” Black stated in a press launch.”We have survived by serving our folks, defending our tales, and holding house when few others would. This report tells the reality plainly. It honors the work that got here earlier than us whereas making clear what should change if these bookstores are going to be right here for the following technology.”

Visit the NAB2 web site to view the report or browse the listing.

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