October is Black History Month in the UK, and we’re celebrating some of the brilliant Black-owned bookshops we’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years.
Independent bookshops are already excellent places to spend your money, obviously. So if you’re looking for a new read this month, why not discover a new favourite bookshop at the same time?
Pan African Connection - Dallas, Texas
A bookstore, art gallery and resource centre specialising in books about African and African American history, culture, health and community.
Resist Booksellers - Petersburg, Virginia
An independent Black-owned bookshop founded to celebrate diverse voices and use books as a tool for empowerment, community and social change.
The North Star - Brooklyn, New York
A forthcoming Bed-Stuy bookstore, café and bourbon bar inspired by the literary salons of the Harlem Renaissance and centred on Black literature, artistry and community.
Third Eye Books - Portland, Oregon
Founded by Michelle Lewis and Charles Hannah, Third Eye Books focuses on African and African American literature alongside books exploring anti-racism and social justice.
Afrori Books - Brighton, UK
A Brighton bookshop and social enterprise dedicated to books by Black authors, alongside community events, workshops and anti-racism education.
Octavia’s Bookshelf - Pasadena, California
Founded by Nikki High, Octavia’s Bookshelf is an independent Pasadena bookshop celebrating books by BIPOC writers and creating a welcoming space for readers and community.
Loudmouth Books - Indianapolis, Indiana
Founded by bestselling author Leah Johnson, Loudmouth Books is a Black, queer and woman-owned bookshop championing banned books and the work of marginalised writers.
These are just a handful of the Black-owned bookshops doing brilliant things in their communities. If you’re celebrating Black History Month with a new book or two, we’d thoroughly recommend buying them from one of these lovely people. And if you don’t live nearby, have a look at their websites or Bookshop.org pages - many independent bookshops offer online ordering, so you can still support them from further afield.
