The people who work and assist great bookstores are the backbone of their success. Janet Webster Jones, the founder and co-owner of Source Booksellers in Detroit, emphasizes the importance of a community-based approach to bookstores. Our community is deeply rooted, and we provide for it. ”
The 2020s have made those communities a whole lot bigger—especially for Black-owned bookstores. Social justice movements have sparked ongoing conversations about race that have sent Black authors and anti-racism books soaring to the top of best-seller lists, while pandemic-era social distancing prompted a massive shift to online sales and stoked interest in supporting local businesses. And it hasn’t waned: Indie bookstores are on the rise , with increasingly diverse ownership
Through author events, book clubs, and inclusive titles, Black-owned bookstores are keeping the conversation going, lifting marginalized voices and fostering curiosity and conversation, both in-person and online. Here’s a sampling of some of the many black-owned bookstores across the Midwest
The Underground Bookstore, Chicago
AS outh Side fixture for more than 30 years The Underground Bookstore Offers a mix of African and Diaspora authors over a range of genres. You’ll find classics like Frederick Douglass’s 1845 autobiography and more modern topics like a history of the Almighty Black PS tone Nation, a notorious Chicago street gang. The children’s section includes Something Happened in Our Town About a police shooting. Shop in-store or online
AfriWare Books, Oak Park, Illinois
This African-centered bookstore , specialty shop and cultural center has hosted author visits, art events and community celebrations since 1993. In 2023, when owner Nzingha NommoIt was faced with closing the store, fans responded to her GoFundMe effort. She then adopted a hybrid business model, selling books online and maintaining a physical location in Oak Park for special events and customer pickup (by appointment only)
Loudmouth Books, Indianapolis
Speak loudly and carry a banned book at this shop owned by bestselling author Leah Johnson, an Indy native and a Black, queer woman. She founded Loudmouth Books After her 2021 novel You Should See Me In a Crown Was challenged in schools. The store celebrates banned books, marginalized authors and any diverse stories deemed dangerous. Besides selling books in-person and online, Loudmouth hosts author events, a children’s story hour, and community gatherings
Beyond Barcodes Bookstore, Indianapolis
Owner DeAndra Beard-Ingram moved her store from Kokomo to Indy in 2022, but she continues the community-building conversations she’s been having for years Beyond Barcodes Hosts a writing workshop for Black youth and men ages 10-21 called Black Scribble: Where Black Boys Write. And the store honors the legacy of Beard-Ingram’s late husband, Joe Louis Ingram, Jr. Who died suddenly in November 2023.
Brain Lair Books, South Bend, Indiana
Every reader—including individuals with disabilities, people of color and members of the LGBTQIA communities—can see themselves in the titles that owner Kathy M. B urnette hand picks for her Inclusive bookshop Order books, audiobooks, e-books and monthly, bimonthly and quarterly subscription boxes for ages 8 to adult. The store hosts several in-person book clubs, including Only Murders and Genre Fluid
The Soul Book Nook, Waterloo, Iowa
Believed to be the only Black-owned indie bookstore in Iowa The Soul Book Nook Fulfills Amber Collins’ childhood dream of opening her own shop full of stories—growing up, she used to read under a tree in her yard, a spot she called her nook. The store started as a mobile operation, then Collins launched the brick-and-mortar version in September 2020, during the pandemic. Her store hosts book signings and occasional live music
Source Booksellers, Detroit
Janet Webster Jones and Alyson Jones Turner are the mother/daughter ownership team that’s ushering This non-fiction bookstore Into its third decade. They specialize in books about history, culture, health, wellness, and titles by and about women. Purchase them in the shop, online or by phone or email order
Comma Bookstore and Social Hub, Flint, Michigan
Promoting Flint’s only Black woman-owned bookstore Has given Egypt Otis big-time exposure. She’s been on The Jennifer Hudson Show (receiving a $25,000 check for her store) and in a Mastercard Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Commercial. All the attention helps her store, which she calls a “cultural bodega, ” make an impact on the community. In addition to a curated collection of BIPOC books, Comma offers art, music, and a platform for creatives
Socialight Society, Lansing, Michigan
Owned by Nyshell Lawrence from Lansing Socialight Society Showcases Black women authors often overlooked by mainstream bookstores. Lawrence got the idea for her store after finding few titles by Black women at another local shop. She started an online book club, progressed to pop-up pandemic events, and eventually opened a store in Lansing Mall. Socialight also sells online, holds a monthly book club, and offers meet-and-greets with authors
Detroit Book City, Southfield, Michigan
Though their brick-and-mortar location closed in 2023, owners Janeice and Reginald Haynes still bring books to Detroit neighborhoods as A pop-up at book fairs Featuring local, indie authors. Their shop also maintains an online presence, selling new and used titles through bookshop. Org. They specialize in rare and out of print African-American books and showcase writers in their Black Indie Author Directory
We Are LIT, Grand Rapids, Michigan
This multicultural bookstore Sells a carefully curated (and rapidly expanding) selection of titles through pop-up shops at some of the city’s best venues for art, culture and entertainment, like downtown’s The Arts Marketplace at Studio Park. Owner Kendra McNeil promotes diverse voices in literature as a co-founder of Women Who Read Grand Rapids and an ambassador for Well-Read Black Girl
Black Stone Bookstore and Cultural Center, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Founded in 2013. This shop That’s attracted so many artists and writers had to close temporarily during the pandemic, pivoting to virtual sales. But it survived and now again offers a diverse collection of books and audiobooks in-person as well as online. Shop the Black Stone Top 100, work through the Racism in America reading list or check out staff recommendations
Black Garnet Books, St. Paul
A caring attitude guides this store founded by Dionne Sims in response to area violence in the summer of 2020 and the exclusion of Black people from the literary community. Now owned by Terresa Moses, a Black queer woman Black Garnet Books Cultivates an atmosphere free of racism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other marginalizing behaviors. Their moderated book club keeps a leisurely schedule, meeting every two months. Social reading hours happen every other Sunday evening
Babycake’s Book Stack, Twin Cities
When Zsamé Morgan lost her mate, Greg, in 2015, she created a bookstore to honor his memory for their toddler daughter—he called her Babycake The store Is open 24/7 online and seasonally as a bookmobile that travels to Twin Cities neighborhoods, schools and community events. Its collection includes the cultures and languages of diverse groups, letting kids and their parents see themselves on the shelves. Check online for bookmobile dates and locations
EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore, University City, Missouri
Representation in literature matters, so This joyous bookshop Prides itself on stocking one of the nation’s largest selections of African-American children’s literature. Currently operating virtually, the store reaches people in Missouri and the Midwest through book fairs, pop-ups, and speaking engagements. Owners Pamela and Jeffrey Blair plan to open a new physical location in the St. Louis area soon
Bliss Books and Wine, Kansas City, Missouri
Good reads and good reds meet at This store founded in 2019. By sisters La’ Nae Robinson and La ‘Nesha Frazier. The pandemic forced their fledgling pop-up to go virtual, but in 2023 they finally opened a physical location where people can buy wine to enjoy while they read. The shop hosts book swaps and a silent book club too
Willa’s Books and Vinyl, Kansas City, Missouri
Owner Willa Robinson, now in her 80s, started as a street vendor on 18th and Vine back in 1994, then expanded to A shop that bursts with books , vintage magazines and classic vinyl. She stocks popular titles, albums and collectibles, but specializes in rare and first edition African-American books and vintage jazz, blues and soul records. When the store faced closure last fall, supporters rallied, raising funds and signing up volunteer workers to keep it open
The Book Nook, Papillion, Nebraska
Co-owner DaRonn Washington opened the first Book Nook Here in 2020, and has since added other metro Omaha locations. Besides new and gently used books (most of the inventory is pre-owned), the store sells games, movies and puzzles. Through its Local Originators program, Book Nook highlights the works of area authors and creators. Once tiny, the flagship store recently expanded, allowing it to host community activities like children’s reading times, yoga and ballroom dancing
Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre, Akron, Ohio
After living in New York City for years, academic and activist Rachel Elizabeth Cargle moved back to her hometown of Akron to be closer to her ailing mother. But she soon missed the Big Apple’s indie bookstores. So she founded Elizabeth’s Bookshop and Writing Centre To celebrate the work of QTBIPOC writers. A portion of the store’s proceeds support The Loveland Foundation, which provides financial assistance to Black women and girls seeking therapy
Rooted MKE, Milwaukee
Founder Ashley Valentine’s mission is to help Milwaukee’s black and brown youth experience literacy: seeing themselves pictured in books and reading stories with relatable protagonists. After a career in teaching, she opened Rooted MKE A boutique children’s bookstore for a wide range of ages—beginning readers to young adults—with titles available in-store and online. Kids can also get tutoring and engage with local artists and makers