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Libraries are one of the few public spaces that are accessible to everyone regardless of income. Families use libraries to socialize with their neighbors and generate a zest for reading in their children; community members can take free classes to advance their personal and professional goals; and students can use the facilities to access computers, archives, and a comfortable space to further their education.
These institutions offer more than books to keep residents educated and engaged. From toolboxes and musical instruments, to bicycles, portable wi-fi hotspots, and even free tickets to local events, libraries can bridge the gap to ensure everyone has access to resources.
The theme of the 2025 celebration of National Library Week is “drawn to the library.” Given the decimation of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, libraries need our support more than ever.
Interested in books for children, (young) adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,600 listings and counting!
Black Libraries as Liberation: Afro-Centered Spaces of Learning and Legacy
Throughout history, libraries geared toward Black populations have played a key role in empowering communities. Beginning with reading rooms and segregated school libraries, Black libraries furthered scholarship, community, and culture in a time when access to knowledge was scarce. Nowadays, many of these places serve as research centers and community hubs to further the wellbeing of African, Black, and Afro-descendants in the United States and worldwide.
Here is a list of 21 libraries that honor Black history, culture, and community throughout the United States, Africa, and the diaspora:
The Western Library in Louisville, KY, USA
The Western Library, also known as the Western Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library, is a key part of Black history. One of the Carnegie libraries, the Western Library is the first public library in the United States created for and entirely staffed by African-Americans. The library opened in 1905 and has been in its current location since 1908. Learn more about the library here.
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York, NY, USA
The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem is one of the world’s premier research institutions dedicated to African-Americans, Africa, and the global Black diaspora. The center stewards over 11 million resources among its five divisions: the Art and Artifacts Division; the Jean Blackwell Hutson General Research and Reference Division; the Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division; the Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division; and the Photographs and Prints Division. The institute is open to the general public and holds guided tours, exhibitions, readings, discussions, and other events. Read more about the center here.
African Online Digital Library
Created by Michigan State University, the African Online Digital Library is an open access database of African history and culture. The digital library has tens of thousands of pieces and resources, including oral histories, photographs, videos, archives, interviews, and maps. The site’s contributors include dozens of global institutions and over 100 individuals serving as researchers, coders, translators, and more. Learn more about the database here.
The National Museum of African American History and Culture Library in Washington, DC, USA
Located on the 2nd floor of the museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture Library is one of 21 institutions in the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives system. The library provides resources that support research about African-American history and culture, global Black populations, genealogy, and family history. The center is open to public researchers by appointment. Read more about the library here and in this article, Spotlight: National Museum of African American History and Culture Library.
Afrothèque in Dakar, Senegal
Afrothèque is the first library to host books solely from authors in Africa and throughout the diaspora. The library’s 7,000 books represent authors from almost every African country. Read more about the library’s activities and its BBC feature (in French).
The Free Black Women’s Library in New York, NY, USA
Beginning as a mobile library, The Free Black Women’s Library has grown into an empowerment space in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood in Brooklyn. The center offers over 5,000 books by Black women and non-binary writers as well as resources for the community, such as a free store, backyard garden, period pantry, book clubs and swaps, workshops, film screenings, debate spaces, performances, and several free public programs. Read more about the initiative here.
Radical Hood Library in Los Angeles, CA, USA
Founded by rapper Fatimah Warner, whose stage name is Noname, the Radical Hood Library is a community space with a focus on “radical” literature and liberation. Its flagstaff initiative is its prison outreach program, in which the library sends books to incarcerated people throughout the country. The library is also the headquarters of the multinational Noname Book Club as well as several events for the community, such as film screenings, “teach ins,” open mic nights, and more. Click here to read about the project and its Teen Vogue feature.
Black Art Library in Detroit, MI, USA
The Black Art Library is a resource for Black artists and Black art aficionados, with over 700 books, brochures, pamphlets, and rare works among its ranks. Starting in 2020 as an online collection, the Black Art Library has evolved over the years to host pop-ups and exhibitions throughout the country. Learn more about the project and the library’s curator and founder, Asmaa Walton and the Black Art Library: Bright Young Librarians.
La Afroteca in Humacao, Puerto Rico
Based in Casa Silvana, La Afroteca is Puerto Rico’s first library to specialize in Afro-Puerto Rican artists and visual arts throughout the diaspora. The library launched in 2023 with over 300 books about Black art from the Caribbean, Latin America, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Casa Silvana also offers a micro-residency for research, curators, and historians interested in Black art. Click the following links to learn more about the library, Casa Silvana, and the collection (in Spanish).
Amistad Research Center in New Orleans, LA, USA
The Amistad Research Center is the first institution to document the U.S. civil rights era, consequently hosting the largest repository of primary sources about the movement. The center also has one of the best collections of African and African-American paintings and drawings in the country, as well as the largest of its kind in the South. Although it’s an independent repository, it’s currently associated with Tulane University. Learn more about the center here.
The Vancouver Black Library in Vancouver, Canada
The Vancouver Black Library serves as a resource center and workspace for people of color in the community. The community hub promotes Black Canadian culture and facilitates a space in which scholars, artists, and community members can receive emotional, intellectual, and financial support. Read more about the Vancouver Black Library here and in this feature, Vancouver Black Library creates community beyond books.
The Black Library in Monticello, NY, USA
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Located two hours away from New York City, The Black Library is a library and community center that promotes Black history, culture, literature, and art. The Black-authored library is available for general and research purposes, and the community space is designed to be an incubator for local talent and a safe space to promote Black culture and racial justice. Some of the programs available at The Black Library are open mics, educational workshops, art exhibitions, and artist residencies. Learn more about The Black Library here.
Centro Cultural Espacio Afro in Madrid, Spain
The Centro Cultural Espacio Afro is a cultural association that focuses on the African, Black, and Afro-descendent experience in Spain and around the world. One of its many offerings includes the Biblioteca Plantain, an Afro-centric library with books about poetry, antiracism, Pan-African literature, philosophy, film, children’s literature, and more. Learn more about the center here (in Spanish).
Biblioteca Carolina Maria de Jesus at the Museu Afro Brasil in São Paulo, Brazil
Housed in the Museu Afro Brasil, the Biblioteca Carolina Maria de Jesus holds 15,000 resources, including a collection dedicated to slavery, the slave trade, and the abolition of slavery in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States. While the library is open to visitors by appointment, about 20 rare works are available in the center’s online catalog. Learn more about this Afro-centric library here.
The Moorland–Spingarn Research Center at Howard University in Washington, DC, USA
The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center (MSRC) at Howard University is touted as the largest and most comprehensive collection of books, relics, resources, and documents about the global Black experience. One of the university’s major research facilities, the MSRC is located in Founders Library. The library division has over 175,000 books, pamphlets, periodicals, and microforms. The manuscript division is divided into four departments: manuscripts, prints and photographs, oral history, and music. Learn more about the research center here.
African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) in Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA
The African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) is the third center of its kind in the country. The AARLCC boasts not only an extensive research center and main library, but the center also holds the country’s largest Black-authored children’s library. The library also hosts both virtual and in-person activities for the community, including self-guided tours, virtual 3D models of African artifacts, special exhibitions, and the Africana Arts and Humanities Festival. Learn more about the center here.
Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature at the Woodson Regional Library in Chicago, IL, USA
The Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection is the largest archive of African-American history and literature in the Midwest. The resources housed here focus on the Black experience with a strong focus on Chicago’s role in Black history and culture. Visitors must request an appointment to peruse the collection. Read more about the center here.
African American History Research Center at the Gregory Campus in Houston, TX, USA
The African American History Research Center at the Gregory Campus is located in Houston’s Fourth Ward, the city’s oldest Black community. It is the city’s first library to focus on African-American history and culture, with a particular focus on Houston and Texas. Read more about this Black library here.
Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library in Denver, CO, USA
The Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library focuses on the history and culture of Black Americans in Colorado and the American West. The center includes a full-service branch library, collection archives, research library, museum, and gallery showcasing local artists. Learn more about the center here.
AWU in Dakar, Senegal
AWU is a library focused on Black feminist thought. The catalog includes English and French-language books written by authors throughout the diaspora. The library also hosts and participates in a range of events, including author discussions and book fairs. Read more about the library here and in this feature (in French).
Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History in Atlanta, GA, USA
This is the first library in the Southeastern United States to offer specialized reference and archival collections for the study and research of African-American culture and history. Although the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History opened in 1994, the library’s core collection was created at the Auburn Branch of the Carnegie Library of Atlanta in 1921—as Atlanta’s first public library for Black Americans. Learn more about the center here.
Interested in books for children, (young) adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,600 listings and counting!
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A project named Books for Black Kids doesn’t need to wait for an occasion to uplift diverse literature. That said, Black History Month was the perfect opportunity to shine a light on the diversity of the Black literary world.
The “Black History Month with Books for Black Kids” campaign took place on Substack and several other social media platforms. Every day focused on a theme, including genres, topics, historical figures, and authors. Books for infants, preschoolers, K–12 students, adults, and educators were featured, along with links to the Books to Black Kids directory and the occasional article.
The diversity of Black literature goes deep. These 300+ books are a small sample of the directory, much less the Black literary world.
Interested in books for children, (young) adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,500 listings and counting!
Black History Month with Books for Black Kids
Here is the BHM with BFBK campaign in one place, with every video, Substack article, and directory link.
Click the day to scroll down to that video, the theme for the accompanying article on Substack, and the directory to look through that category in the Books for Black Kids directory.
Happy reading!
- Day 1: Black Joy (directory)
- Day 2: Historical Fiction (directory)
- Day 3: Politics and Government (directory)
- Day 4: Rosa Parks (directory)
- Day 5: Autobiographies (directory)
- Day 6: Music (directory)
- Day 7: (The Study of) Black History (directory)
- Day 8: Sports (directory)
- Day 9: STEM, Inventions, and Innovation (directory)
- Day 10: Fantasy and Enchantment (directory)
- Day 11: Books for Educators: Teaching Black Girls (directory) (14 Books for Teachers to Support Black Girls in the Classroom)
- Day 12: Books for Educators: Teaching Black Boys (directory) (13 Books for Educators Invested in the Success of Black Boys)
- Day 13: Advice for Black Teens (directory)
- Day 14: Frederick Douglass (directory)
- Day 15: Affirmations for Black Kids (directory)
- Day 16: Graphic Novels and Comic Books (directory)
- Day 17: The Harlem Renaissance (directory)
- Day 18: Science Fiction (directory)
- Day 19: Author Spotlight—Jason Reynolds (directory) (18 Award-Winning Books by Jason Reynolds that Celebrate Black Youth)
- Day 20: Horror (directory)
- Day 21: Malcolm X (directory)
- Day 22: Banned Books: Preschool and Elementary (Banned Books: 31 Children’s Books by Black Authors (Preschool and Elementary)
- Day 23: Black Mental Health and Wellness (directory)
- Day 24: Banned Books: Middle School, High School, and Beyond (12 Banned Children’s Books by Black Authors (Middle School, Upper Elementary)); (34 Banned Books by Black Authors for High School, Young Adults, and Beyond)
- Day 25: Books for Educators: Cultural Competence and Social Reform (directory)
- Day 26: Board Books for Black Babies (directory)
- Day 27: Activity Books for Black Youth (directory)
- Day 28: Money and Finances (directory)
300+ Diverse Stories for Black Children, Teens, and Adults: Video List
Black Joy
Today deserved a second video…
Historical Fiction
Politics and Government
Rosa Parks
Autobiographies
Music
(The Study of) Black History
Sports
STEM, Inventions, and Innovation
Fantasy and Enchantment
Books for Educators: Teaching Black Girls
Books for Educators: Teaching Black Boys
Advice for Black Teens
Frederick Douglass
Affirmations for Black Kids
Graphic Novels and Comic Books
The Harlem Renaissance
Science Fiction
Author Spotlight—Jason Reynolds
Horror
Malcolm X
Banned Books: Preschool and Elementary Education
Black Mental Health and Wellness
Banned Books: Middle School, High School, and Beyond
Books for Educators: Cultural Competence and Social Reform
Board Books for Black Babies
Activity Books for Black Youth
Money and Finances
Interested in books for children, (young) adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,500 listings and counting!
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In an age of book bans and DEI erasure, embracing diverse literature and Black-owned businesses becomes even more important.
The following Black-owned book subscription boxes help us to do exactly that.
These subscriptions not only foster literacy but also promote self-care, cultural pride, and immersive reading experiences for all. Many of the boxes also come with an assortment of treats, most of which are from BIPOC-owned companies. Some of the subscription boxes promote literacy and community care by donating a portion of their proceeds to schools, community organizations, and Black youth.
Whether you’re an avid reader, searching for a gift, or looking to introduce the children in your life to diverse stories, these book subscription boxes offer a meaningful way to engage with literature.
Interested in books for children, (young) adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,500 listings and counting!
Satisfiction
Satisfiction combines self-care products with science fiction and fantasy books. All bimonthly boxes feature limited-edition books by authors of color, with bookplates, bound author letters, interior formatting, dust jackets, and more. The Original Box comes with a series of self-care products, such as body butters, scrubs, serums, candles, sheet masks, wood wick candles, and bath soak items. Customers can also opt to receive just the book. Click here for more information.
Literally Black
Literally Black’s book subscription boxes connect customers with Black-owned businesses across the country. Each bi-monthly box includes a featured book, 4–5 products from Black-owned businesses, and Literally Black exclusive products. Members get first access to the curated book boxes. Find out more here.
Imagine Me Stories
Based in the United Kingdom, Imagine Me Stories offers subscription boxes with “quality black children’s literature and empowering black history activities.” Subscriptions are available for tiny conquerors (age 0–3), early achievers (age 4–8), big dreamers (age 9–12), and family combos for families with multiple children. Customers can receive one, three, or five books every month. Imagine Me Stories ships to the U.K. and the U.S. Click here for more information.
The Chaptr
The Chaptr combines a Black-owned book subscription box with a virtual book club. Recipients receive the same book and curated items to improve the reading experience. Using The Chaptr app, readers can discuss the book throughout the month, ultimately ending with a virtual book club meeting. Occasionally the authors themselves join the meeting. Learn more about the system here.
Kindred Stories
Based in Houston, Texas, Kindred Stories offers eight subscription boxes for children and adults: adult fiction, adult speculative fiction, adult romance, adult nonfiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, and board books. Visit the site to learn more.
ReadHer
ReadHer focuses on Black indie romance books in its bi-monthly subscription boxes. Packages contain curated treats, such as snacks, shirts, mugs, tote bags, and more. Click here for more information.
BlackLIT
BlackLIT represents resilience in the Black-owned bookstore world. After closing its Dallas-area location due to local racism and harassment, the company is determined to continue its mission and re-open its doors. Despite all of this, BlackLIT is still offering several Afrocentric subscription boxes: kids, non-fiction, fiction, men, believers (faith/religion), and a mini box with fewer items. The boxes consist of books, t-shirts, and 3–5 products from Black-owned businesses. Learn more about the boxes here.
Beauty and a Book Box
Beauty and a Book box provides quarterly subscription boxes for tweens, teens, and adults. Packages contain books and self-care products, such as cosmetics, skincare, hair care and fragrance. A portion of the proceeds are donated to classrooms around the world. Learn more about the subscription here.
Cover Snob
Cover Snob focuses on romance novels written by authors of color. The books come with custom-designed edges and are shipped bi-monthly. In addition to the U.S., Cover Snob also ships to Canada and Europe. Visit the site to learn more.
Hues Book Box
Photo credit: huesbookbox.com
Hues Book Box offers quarterly book subscription boxes focused on people of color. Recipients can choose one, two, or three different books, as well as 3–10 copies of the same book to be shared with a group. The packages also include items from BIPOC-owned businesses, such as stickers, bookmarks, and candles. Read more about the box here.
Kenola’s Bookbag
This subscription box focuses on Black authors and Black-owned businesses. The bi-monthly boxes include a book, a customized bag, and 2–3 products from Black-owned businesses. Kenola’s Bookbag also donates part of its proceeds to local organizations to promote social impact. Click here to learn more about the company.
Black Authors Matter Book Box
Sponsored by the National Black Book Festival, the Black Authors Matter Book Box is curated for children and approved by book industry professionals. Customers choose which books to receive. After the first month, which includes three books and a t-shirt, the boxes will consist of two paperback children’s books OR one hardcover children’s book or jigsaw puzzle. Bonus items are sent out at certain milestones. Learn more about the box here.
Woke Babies
Based in the United Kingdom, Woke Babies creates book subscription boxes filled with Black authors and fun activities. Discovery Boxes are available for children aged 7 and under, and book-only boxes are for children up to the age of 12. Discovery Boxes also include games, positive affirmation cards, and wordless books to encourage creativity. Both options offer family bundles for households with more than one child. Read more about the company here.
Book It At The Bottom
The Bottom, a Black-owned bookstore based in Tennessee, has several subscription boxes for people of all ages. Subscription options include Book of the Month, children’s and young adult book boxes (age 0–5, 5–9, 9–12, or 12–18), combo boxes with two to four books, and “Book Fairy” boxes where customers can donate books to Black youth. Learn about the boxes here.
A Night With Bookbox
A Night with Bookbox is one the newest additions to the Black-owned book subscription space. Each box includes an autographed indie book, specifically a Black romance. The four boxes span from “book only” to “the box (full),” which include bookish items and items associated with the novel. Click here for more information.
Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,500 listings with a Black author and/or a Black protagonist.
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It’s almost Black History Month!
Here, at Books for Black Kids, every day* in February will feature a genre, author, historical figure, or theme present in books for and about Black youth. From books for infants to resources for educators, there will be a little something for everybody.
This campaign will unfold mostly on social media and Substack, so follow Books for Black Kids on your favorite platforms:
- Substack (best for those with no social media)
- Threads
- Bluesky
- X/Twitter
Stay tuned!
*To the best of my ability…this is a passion project, after all
Update on March 8th: To view the entire campaign in one place, visit Celebrating Black Stories: 300+ Diverse Books for and about Black Youth (Video Series)
Interested in books for children, young adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,500 listings and counting!
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Click here for a sampling of banned books for preschool and elementary school students as well as upper elementary and middle schoolers.
The books in this article have all been included on banned book lists in the past few years. PEN America reported more than 10,000 book bans in public schools in the 2023-23 school year alone, 44% of which featured people of color.
Interested in books for children, young adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,400 listings and counting!
The Poet X
This novel in verse tells the story of Xiomara Batista, a girl who wants to use poetry to find her way in the world. Click here to learn more.
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America
Written by several of the country’s most acclaimed Black authors, this anthology is full of stories about the myriad of ways to be Black. “Black is urban and rural, wealthy and poor, mixed race, immigrants, and more—because there are countless ways to be Black enough.” Read more about the book here.
How To Be An Antiracist
This is Ibram X. Kendi’s memoir-turned-manifesto about embracing antiracism and combating prejudice in society. Read more about the book here.
Let Me Hear a Rhyme
In this book, three friends construct a plan to turn their best friend into a rap star…after his passing. Click here to learn more.
Notes from a Young Black Chef: A Memoir
From rags to riches and back again, this memoir displays the tumultuous journey of James Bear-award winning chef Kwame Onwuachi—from a local gang in Nigeria to the top of the U.S. fine dining world. Read more about the book here.
Punching the Air
Award-winning author Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five crafted this novel in verse about a boy who is wrongfully incarcerated. Click here to learn more.
Monday’s Not Coming
Claudia’s best friend, Monday Charles, has mysteriously vanished. The reason why is heartbreaking. Read more about the book here.
Beloved
This Nobel Prize-winning novel by Toni Morrison portrays a woman’s journey to freedom after the Civil War, showing the effects of slavery and its aftermath. Click here for more information.
This is My America
This is a story of a teenager taking on the justice system, with her father on Death Row and her brother accused of the unthinkable. Read more about the book here.
The House You Pass On The Way
This coming-of-age story is filled with complicated emotions and a glimpse into the future. Click here to learn more.
Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America
In Stamped From the Beginning, Ibram X. Kendi outlays the history of anti-Black racist ideas and how they’re manifested in present-day society. He uses the following historical figures to drive home these points: Puritan minister Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, W.E.B. Du Bois, and legendary activist Angela Davis. Read here for more information.
The Bluest Eye
This classic by Toni Morrison follows a troubled woman and her family as she descends into madness. Learn more about the book here.
Cinderella Is Dead
This twist on a fairytale classic shows a girl fleeing the ball and breaking stereotypes along the way. Click here for more information.
This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do The Work
This international guide to anti-racism is designed to help readers take concrete steps to change their thinking, behavior, and actions. Read more about the book here.
Brown Girl Dreaming
In a series of autobiographical poems, Brown Girl Dreaming expresses the reality of growing up in South Carolina and New York during the U.S. Civil Rights era. Learn more about the book here.
Between the World and Me
“What is it like to inhabit a black body and find a way to live within it? And how can we all honestly reckon with this fraught history and free ourselves from its burden?” Ta-Nehisi Coates answers these questions and more in this letter to his son. Click here for more information.
Americanah
Americanah follows two teenagers in love as they leave a war-torn Nigeria, end up in the U.S. and U.K., and make their way back to Nigeria 13 years later. Read more about the book here.
Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard
A piece of autobiographical fiction combined with magical realism, Black Girl Unlimited follows a teenager wizard dealing with poverty, depression, and prejudice throughout the two sides of her life. Click here for more information.
Dear Martin
Justyce, a good kid trying to get ahead in life, looks to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for answers to life’s tragedies. One day, he gets caught in the middle of a dispute with an angry cop. Will Justyce find the answers he’s looking for, even when everything is stacked against him? Click here for more information.
Dear Justyce
The sequel to Dear Martin, Dear Justyce is about Quan, one of Justyce’s childhood friends who’s now in prison. Through his letters to Justyce, who’s now a student at Yale, we get a glimpse into his life and the injustices of the criminal justice system. Read more about the book here.
Sula
This is the story of Sula and Nel, two best friends who go on to lead very different lives. Once Sula returns to her hometown, Nel, who never left, and the rest of the town start to see her as a pariah. Learn more about the book here.
All American Boys
Two teens, one Black and one white, deal with the repercussions of police brutality, racial injustice, and a split town searching for answers. Read more about the book here.
For more books by Jason Reynolds, check out 18 Award-Winning Books by Jason Reynolds that Celebrate Black Youth
Dope Sick
Dope sick is a story about drug abuse, violence, and being blessed with a second chance. Click here for more information.
The Hate U Give
Starr’s best friend was fatally shot by a police officer while unarmed. She’s the only living witness. Find out more about the story here.
The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person
This autobiography, written from the perspective of a friend, is a deep dive into the everyday racism experienced by Black people. Includes an encyclopedia of racism, relevant historical events, terminology, and information about several activists and artists. Learn more about the guide here.
Concrete Rose
Maverick, the son of an incarcerated kingpin, deals drugs to help his mother get by. However, once he becomes a father, he starts to question his life, desiring a better one for his son. Click here for more information.
Felix Ever After
This is a coming-of-age story about self-acceptance and love in the face of transphobia. Learn more about the book here.
Ace of Spades
This thriller displays two students against an anonymous bully—a mixture of social commentary and suspense. Click here for more information.
Check, Please! Book 1: # Hockey (Check, Please!, 1)
The first story in this graphic novel series follows a figure-skating champion to his university hockey team. Read more about the book here.
Clap When You Land
Camino and Yahaira Rios are two sisters who’ve never heard of each other…until their father dies in a plane crash. Click here for more information.
Not So Pure and Simple
This teen romance dives into societal pressures, toxic masculinity, and religion. Learn more about the book here.
Allies: Real Talk About Showing Up, Screwing Up, And Trying Again
This guide includes self-reflection prompts, resources, journaling ideas, and reading suggestions to become a better ally. Learn more about the resource here.
The Black Flamingo
In The Black Flamingo, Michael, a mixed-race gay teen in London, uses poetry to explore and express his identity. Click here for more information.
Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America
By examining the past century of U.S. history, Ileoma Oluo explains how the systems that be protect and promote white men at the cost of true American greatness. Learn more about the book here.
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If you’re looking to support Black-owned businesses in your city, online, or overseas—and you like to read—you’ve come to the right place.
This is the most comprehensive list of Black-owned bookshops in the U.S. and around the world. And I stumble upon new ones every day, so some are certainly missing. Whether you’re looking for a Black-owned bookstore to enjoy in town, online, or on vacation, this list should give you some options.
List of Black-Owned Bookstores by Region
Click below to go directly to a specific section.
- U.S. Black-Owned Bookstores (Introduction)
- United States: Online-Only Bookstores
- United States: Alabama to Louisiana
- United States: Maryland to Wisconsin
- International Black-Owned Bookstores (Introduction)
- North America
- South America
- Europe
- Africa
Finding and Verifying Independent Black Bookstores
Criteria I kept in mind while compiling this list: Is it Black-owned? Does it sell books? Is it still open?
The “still open” part was the main challenge in aggregating a list like this.
Most of these businesses are very local; since the community knows they’re there, their digital presence might not be a priority. Some don’t have updated websites or social media. Others have physically closed but are active online. You get the picture. Google helped a bit, but it was often wrong, saying that places were permanently closed that had reopened or evolved (or vice versa). As a last resort, I would check Google Reviews to try to get an idea of whether customers had visited in the past few months.
If you know of any Black-owned bookstores that are missing from this list, feel free to send an email to hello at booksforblackkids.com or tag @booksforblackkids on social media.
What Was Not Included in This List of Black-Owned Bookshops
- Independent publishers or websites that only promoted one author. The main exception to this was Afrocentric independent publishers outside of the United States.
- Online bookstores whose only internet presence was Bookshop.org. Those that had a social media account or separate website were added.
- Bookstores that only sold subscription boxes. I plan on writing a “Black book businesses” post to feature those.
- Businesses that no longer appeared to sell books.
- Bookstores that no longer appeared to be open.
- With one notable exception (which includes a disclaimer), businesses that were not founded by Black people.
Looking for books for children, young adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! Over 2,400 listings and counting.
Black-Owned Bookstores in the United States
There are over 200 independent Black bookstores in the United States. In this list, they’re separated into stores that are solely online and those that operate at least somewhat locally, either through their own storefronts, local events, or pop-up bookstores.
Online-Only Bookstores
The bookstores on this list, to my knowledge, only operate virtually.
Stores that are based online that also hold local events, pop-ups, etc. are listed under their respective states. Same goes for bookshops that are “temporarily exclusively online” during a period of transition, either due to relocation, financial issues, harassment, or other factors.
- The African American Literature Book Club
- African Bookstore
- Asè Book Boutique
- Black Bookstore
- Cindelle’s Bookstore
- Daylit Tales
- D3 Comic Book Spot
- Eclectuals
- Essence Book Gallery
- I Like Being Me Books
- Jupiter Society Books
- Keep the Light On Bookstore
- Kweli Club (formerly Nkiru Books)
- Lovebound Pages
- Loving Me Books
- Miss Read Books: Website under construction
- Peace Love Bookish
- Read & Revolt Bookstore
- Shelves Bookstore: Local pickup available in Charlotte, NC.
- Stories of a Colorful World
- Tuma’s Books
- Yaya Books
U.S. Black-Owned Bookstores by State
Alabama
- Brown Books & More: Decatur, AL
- Homecoming Book Cafe: Birmingham, AL; located in Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.
Arizona
- Grassrootz Bookstore & Juice Bar: Phoenix, AZ
- Onyx Oasis Bookstore: Online and pop-up bookstore located in Phoenix, AZ
Arkansas
- Pyramid Art Books & Custom Framing: Little Rock, AR
California
- Ashay by the Bay: Online and pop-up bookstore based in Vallejo, CA
- Carol’s Books: Sacramento, CA
- Chukaruka: Fontana, CA
- Get Lit Books & Things: Moreno Valley, CA
- Malik Books: Los Angeles, CA
- Marcus Books: Oakland, CA
- Multicultural Bookstore & Gifts: Richmond, CA
- Octavia’s Bookshelf: Pasadena, CA
- Old Capitol Books: Monterey, CA
- Reparations Club: Los Angeles, CA
- The Salt Eaters Bookshop: Virtual bookstore based in Inglewood, CA. Plans to hold pop-ups in the future.
- Shades of Afrika: Long Beach, CA
- Sistah Scifi: Online and pop-up bookstore based in Oakland, CA. Book vending machines in Oakland, CA, and Seattle, WA.
- Underground Books: Sacramento, CA
- Wallflower Bookshop: Online bookshop based in or near Oakland, CA. Holds in-person events.
- Word of Life Christian Bookstores: Los Angeles, CA
Colorado
- The Shop at MATTER: Denver, CO
Connecticut
- The Key Bookstore: Online bookstore based in Hartford, CT. Holds in-person events.
- Kindred Thoughts Bookstore: Bridgeport, CT
- Reader’s Block Bookstore: Stratford, CT. Temporarily exclusively online.
Delaware
- MeJah Books, Inc: Claymont, DE
Florida
- A Better Life Bookstore: Daytona Beach, FL
- Authentic Books: Orlando, FL
- Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature & Culture Museum: St. Augustine, FL
- Black English Bookstore and HBCU Legacy Project: Tampa, FL
- Cafe Resistance: Jacksonville, FL
- Cultured Books Literacy Foundation: St. Petersburg, FL
- Dare Books: Longwood, FL.
- Erudite Encounters: Pembroke Pines, FL
- Essence of Knowledge: Cocoa, FL
- Jay’s House Bookshop & Bakery: Traveling bookstore based in Ft. Lauderdale area
- Kizzy’s Books and More: Online bookstore in Winter Garden, FL. Holds in-person events.
- Libreri Mapou: Bookstore, gift shop, and Haitian cultural center in Miami, FL
- Pyramid Books: Online bookstore based in Boynton Beach, FL. Holds in-person events.
Georgia
- 44th and 3rd Bookseller, Atlanta, GA
- A Better Day Books & Boutique: Marietta, GA
- A Small Place Bookshop: Avondale Estates, Georgia
- All Things Inspiration Giftique Christian & Neighborhood Bookstore: Mableton, GA, and Marietta, GA
- Avant-Garde Books: Austell, GA
- Birdsong Bookfairs: Book fairs based in Locust Grove, GA
- Black and Nobel: Philadelphia, PA
- Book Boutique: Atlanta, GA
- Books and Brew: Tucker, GA
- Brave + Kind Books: Decatur, GA
- Early Literacy Development Agency: Child development and education program with online bookstore in Stonecrest, GA
- Community Books of Stone Mountain: Stone Mountain, GA
- For Keeps Bookstore: Atlanta, GA
- Good Books: Online and pop-up bookstore in Atlanta, GA
- Onyx Bookstore Cafe: Conyers, GA
- Medu Bookstore: Atlanta, GA
- Moore Books: Online bookstore in Rincon, GA. Holds in-person events.
- Nubian Bookstore: Morrow, GA
- Rejoice Christian Books & Giftshop: Snellville, GA
- The Black Dot Cultural Center and Bookstore: Lithonia, GA
- The Book Cellar: Conyers, GA
- The Bookworm Bookstore: Powder Springs, GA
- The Enrichment Bookstore & Art Center, Inc: Decatur, GA
- The Listening Tree Bookstore: Decatur, GA
- Unique Euphony Publishing: Columbus, GA
Illinois
- AfriWare Books: Traveling bookstore based in Oak Park, IL
- Brown Babies Books: Online and pop-up bookstore based in Evanston, IL
- Burst into Books: Chicago, IL
- Cafe Noir Bookshop: Rock Island, IL
- Call & Response Books: Chicago, IL
- Da Book Joint: Chicago, IL
- Frontline Books: Chicago, IL
- Rose Café: Chicago, IL
- Semicolon Bookstore: Chicago, IL.
- Underground Bookstore: Chicago, IL
Indiana
- Akoma Books: Evansville, IN
- Beyond Barcodes Bookstore: Indianapolis, IN. Website under construction.
- Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore: Traveling bookstore based in Indianapolis, IN
- Brain Lair Books: South Bend, IN
- Ink Drinkers Anonymous: Muncie, IN
- Loudmouth Books: Indianapolis, IN
- Ujamaa Community Bookstore: Indianapolis, IN
Iowa
- Soul Book Nook: Waterloo, IA
Kansas
- Left on Read: Wichita, KS
Kentucky
- Gye Nyame Books & More: Louisville, KY.
- Wild Fig Coffee & Books: Lexington, KY
Louisiana
- Baldwin & Co. Coffee & Bookstore: New Orleans, LA
- Community Book Center: New Orleans, LA
- Umoja Books and Products: Lafayette, LA
Maryland
- Baltimore Read Aloud: Baltimore, MD
- Everyone’s Place: Baltimore, MD
- Loyalty Bookstores: Silver Spring, MD
- MahoganyBooks: Oxon Hill, MD
- Urban Reads Bookstore: Baltimore, MD
- Vision Christian Bookstore: Clinton, MD
Massachusetts
- Frugal Bookstore: Roxbury, MA
- Olive Tree Books N Voices: Springfield, MA
Michigan
- Black Stone Bookstore & Cultural Center: Ypsilanti, MI
- Booksweet: Ann Arbor, MI
- Comma Bookstore and Social Hub: Flint, MI
- Detroit Book City: Southfield, MI
- God’s World Superstore: Detroit, MI
- Hood Book Headquarters: Detroit, MI
- Just Book-ish: Boston, MA
- Nandi’s Knowledge Café (Facebook Group): Highland Park, MI
- Socialight Society: Lansing, MI
- Source Booksellers: Detroit, MI
- We Are LIT: Grand Rapids, MI
Minnesota
- Babycake’s Book Stack: Traveling bookstore based in St. Paul, MN
- Black Garnet Books: St. Paul, MN
- Planting People Growing Justice Press and Bookstore: Online bookstore based in St. Paul, MN. Holds in-person events.
- Strive Bookstore: Minneapolis, MN
Mississippi
- Marshall’s Music and Book Store: Jackson, MS
- Wonders of the World Book and Toy Store: Gulfport, MS
Missouri
- Aya Coffee and Books: Online and pop-up bookstore based in Kansas City, MO
- Black Tea Bookshop: Columbia, MO
- Bliss Books & Wine: Kansas City, MO
- BLK + BRWN.: Kansas City, MO
- EyeSeeMe African American Children’s Bookstore: University City, MO
- Progressive Emporium & Education Center: St. Louis, MO
- The Noir Bookshop: Online bookstore based in St. Louis, MO. Plans on holding pop-ups, events, and literacy initiatives.
- The Printed Society: St. Louis, MO
- The Redux Society: Kansas City, MO
- Willa’s Books and Vinyl: Kansas City, MO
Nebraska
- Aframerican Bookstore: Omaha, NE
- The Book Nook Bookstores: Omaha and Papillion, NE
Nevada
- Multicultural Books Las Vegas: Las Vegas, NV
- R. D. Talley Books Publishing: Las Vegas, NV
- The Analog Dope Store: Las Vegas, NV
New Jersey
- Ida’s Bookshop: Collingswood, NJ
- L’Ouverture Books: Online bookstore based in Pleasantville, NJ; visits by appointment only. Available for book fairs, conventions, and events.
- La Unique African American Books & Cultural Center: Camden, NJ
- Source of Knowledge: Newark, NJ
- The Little Boho Bookshop: Bayonne, NJ
New York
- Adanne Bookshop: Brooklyn, NY
- Archivist Books: Rochester, NY
- Blenheim Hill Books: Hobart, NY
- Bronx Bound Books: Bronx, NY
- Cafe con Libros: Brooklyn, NY
- Cups and Books: Brooklyn, NY
- Grandma’s Place: Harlem, NY
- Huemanbooks: Online bookstore in NYC. Partners with Ground Central Coffee to host in-person events and sell books throughout the area.
- Liz’s Book Bar: Brooklyn, NY
- Nefer Bookcafé: Bronx, NY. Opening soon.
- Revolution Books: Harlem, NY
- Sadie’s Books & Beverages: Middletown, NY
- Sister’s Uptown Bookstore & Cultural Center: Manhattan, NY
- Taylor & Co. Books: Brooklyn, NY
- The Lit. Bar: Bronx, NY
- The Schomburg Shop: Harlem, NY
- Word Up Community Bookshop/Librería Comunitaria: Manhattan, NY
- Zawadi Books: Buffalo, NY
North Carolina
- Fulfillity Books & More: Hope Mills, NC
- Liberation Station Bookstore: Raleigh, NC
- Rofhiwa Book Café: Durham, NC
- Next Chapter Bookstore & Giftshop: Greensboro, NC
- Urban Reader Bookstore: Traveling bookstore based in Concord, NC
Ohio
- Black Art Plus: Columbus, OH
- Elizabeth’s Bookshop & Writing Centre: Akron, OH
- Serenity Bookshop: Columbus, OH. Temporarily exclusively online.
- Tastes & Tomes: Pop-up bookstore based in Columbus, OH. Holds in-person events.
- The Cultural Exchange: Cleveland, OH
- Ujamaa Books: Columbus, OH
- Zawadi Books: Columbus, OH
Oklahoma
- Belle Books Boutique & More: Oklahoma, City, OK
- Fulton Street Books & Cafe: Tulsa, OK
- Nappy Roots Books: Oklahoma City, OK
Oregon
- Grand Gesture Books: Portland, OR
- Sunrise Books: Portland, OR
- Third Eye Books Accessories & Gifts: Portland, OR
Pennsylvania
- Atomic City Comics: Philadelphia, PA
- Black & Nobel: Philadelphia, PA
- Hakim’s Bookstore & Gift Shop: Philadelphia, PA
- Harriet’s Bookshop: Philadelphia, PA
- Heart & Soul Books: Linglestown, PA
- The Black Reserve Bookstore: Lansdale, PA
- The Tiny Bookstore: Ross Township, PA
- Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books: Philadelphia, PA
- Umoja House: Philadelphia, PA. Temporarily closed according to Google, but online bookstore is still active.
South Carolina
- Liberation is Lit: Online and pop-up bookstore based in Columbia, SC. Holds in-person events.
- Malcolm X Center for Self Determination: Greenville, SC
- Turning Point Bookshop: Goose Creek, SC. Temporarily exclusively online. New physical location to come.
Tennessee
- Alkebu-Lan Images: Nashville, TN
- Bookshop at The Bottom: Knoxville, TN
- Bo Society and Books: Clarksville, TN
- The African Place: Memphis, TN
Texas
- African Imports Houston: Houston, TX
- BLACKLIT Bookstore: Farmers Branch, TX. Temporarily exclusively online. New physical location to come.
- Black Pearl Books: Austin, TX
- Books & Brown Sugar: Dallas, TX. Temporarily exclusively online.
- Brown Sugar Café and Books: Houston, TX. Temporarily exclusively online.
- Candescent Books: Online and pop-up bookstore based in Houston, TX
- CLASS Bookstore: Houston, TX
- Enda’s Bookstore: Online bookstore based in Duncanville, TX. Holds in-person events.
- Essential Bookstore: Atascocita, TX. Temporarily closed. New physical location to come.
- Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics: Houston, TX
- Houston Book Warehouse: Houston, TX
- Lit Java Coffee & Books: Pearland, TX
- Kindred Stories: Houston, TX
- Pan-African Connection: Dallas, TX
- Shrine Cultural and Event Center: Houston, TX
- The Book Readers Venue: Humble, TX
- The Dock Bookshop: Fort Worth, TX
- The Reading Shack: Cedar Hill, TX
- Words Unite Bookstore: Fort Cavazos, TX
Utah
- The Book Lovers Era: Online and mobile bookstore based in Utah
Virginia
- Harambee Books & Artworks: Alexandria, VA
- House of Consciousness: Norfolk, VA
- Paperbacks Inc: Newport News, VA
- Positive Books: Virginia Beach, VA
- Resist Booksellers: Petersburg, VA
- Riches in Reading: Virginia Beach, VA
- The Book Bar: Richmond, VA. Temporarily exclusively online.
- The Printed Word Bookstore: Portsmouth, VA
Washington
- Estelita’s Library: Seattle, WA
- LEMS Bookstore: Seattle, WA
- Loving Room: Seattle, WA
- The Romance Era Bookshop: Vancouver, WA
Washington, DC Area
- Charnice Milton Community Bookstore: Online and pop-up bookstore based in Washington, DC
- Laces & Pages: Online and pop-up bookstore based in Washington, DC
- Loyalty Bookstores: Silver Spring, MD; also listed under Maryland
- MahoganyBooks: Oxon Hill, MD; also listed under Maryland
- Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe: Washington, DC
- Solid State Books: Two locations in Washington, DC
Wisconsin
- Mahogany Gallery & Cultural Center: Racine, WI
- Niche Book Bar: Milwaukee, WI
- Rooted MKE: Milwaukee, WI
Black-Owned Bookstores Worldwide: North America, South America, Europe, Africa
As I speak English, Spanish, and French, countries with one of the above (or another Romance language) as an official language should have a relatively comprehensive list of stores. Countries with other languages may be lacking.
Similar to the U.S. list, several bookstores overseas have shut down or changed formats over the years. Unlike the U.S.-based list, I’ve included Afrocentric independent publishers here. As a note, the independent publishers were not included in the 290+ figure at the beginning of the article.
If you know of any missing Black-owned bookstores, feel free to send an email to hello at booksforblackkids.com or tag @booksforblackkids on social media.
Interested in books for children, young adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors…in multiple languages? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! 2,400 books and counting in over 20 language combinations.
Black-Owned Bookstores in North America
Bahamas
- Black Food Bookstore & Culture Shop: Nassau, Bahamas
- Through the Pages: Nassau, Bahamas
Bermuda
- Long Story Short: Gift store and tour center in St. George’s, Bermuda
- The Griot Bermuda Bookstore: Online bookstore based in Bermuda
Canada
- A Different Booklist: Toronto, ON, Canada
- Knowledge Bookstore: Brampton, ON, Canada
- Librairie Racines: Montreal, QC, location is temporarily closed, but the online bookstore is still active.
- Manifest Bookstore: Toronto, ON, Canada
- Nile Valley Books: Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tusome Books: Online bookstore based in Canada
Cuba
- Librería Ireti: Online bookstore based in Cuba
Haiti
- Nous, Vous, Îles Espace Culturel Outremer: Choisy le Roi, Haiti
Jamaica
- Bookophilia: Kingston, Jamaica
- Rebel Women Lit: Online bookstore in Jamaica
Martinique
- La Kazabul Martinique: Fort-de-France, Martinique
Puerto Rico
- La Kasa d’Mara: Loiza, Puerto Rico. Formerly La Librería Loíza.
Saint Lucia
- 758 Books Café Littéraire: Castries, St. Lucia
Trinidad and Tobago
- Scribbles and Quills: Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago
U.S. Virgin Islands
- Books ‘n Bush Tea: St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
Black-Owned Bookstores in South America
Argentina
- Malungo Libros: Traveling bookstore based in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Brazil
- Dandara Editora: Independent publisher in Brazil
- Kitabu Livraria Negra: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Livraria Africanidades: Online bookstore based in São Paulo, Brazil. In-person visits by appointment only.
- Livraria Katuka Africanidades: Salvador, Bahía, Brazil
- Malê Editora: Independent publisher in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Nandyala Livros: Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Colombia
- Kutusoma: Independent publisher and literary association based in Bogotá, Colombia, with a presence in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Panama
Uruguay
- Casa Afro Uruguaya: Cultural center with independent publisher in Montevideo, Uruguay
Black-Owned Bookstores in Europe
Belgium
- Pépite Blues: Ixelles, Belgium
France
- Librairie Tamery Sematawy: Paris, France
- Présence Africaine: Paris, France
- Soumbala: Online bookstore based in France
Germany
All of the following are initiatives by InterKontinental (Note: Founders are neither Black nor African):
- African Book Festival: Literature festival in Berlin, Germany
- InterKontinental: Afrocentric bookstore and independent publisher in Berlin, Germany
- InterKontinental e.V.: Organization that promotes literature from Africa and the diaspora in Germany and German-speaking countries
Italy
- Libreria GRIOT: Rome, Italy
Netherlands
- EduCulture: Online bookstore based in the Netherlands
- The Base Bookspace: Online bookstore based in the Netherlands
Portugal
- Livraria Lulendo: Online bookstore based in Lisbon, Portugal. Holds in-person events.
Spain
- Centro Cultural Espacio Afro: Cultural center with physical bookstore in Madrid, Spain
- Mulema: Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- United Minds: Online bookstore based in Valencia, Spain. Holds in-person events.
Switzerland
- Nsanda Librairie: Lausanne, Switzerland
United Kingdom
- African Books Collective: Online international marketing and distribution outlet for books from Africa based in Oxford, England
- Afrori Books: Brighton and Hove, England
- Black Cultural Archives: Brixton, London, England
- Black Feminist Bookshop: Online bookstore based in London. Holds in-person events and pop-ups.
- BookLove: Traveling bookstore based in Southeast London, England
- Books of Africa: London, England
- Jacaranda Books: Online independent publisher and bookseller based in London, England. Available at select Tesco stores throughout the UK.
- Lolwe Books: London, UK
- Melanin Dreams: London, UK
- MyBookbasket: Birmingham, England
- New Beacon Books: London, England
- No Ordinary Book Shop: Online bookstore based in London. Holds in-person events and pop-up libraries.
- Pempamsie: Locations in Brixton, Harlesden, Lewisham, and Walthamstow
- Pepukayi Books: London, England
- Round Table Books: Brixton, London, England. Associated with Knights Of independent publisher.
- Sevenoaks Bookshop: Sevenoaks, England
Black-Owned Bookstores in Africa
Gambia
- Timbooktoo Gambia: Banjul, The Gambia
Ghana
- Akenkan Books: Accra, Ghana
- Booknook: Online bookstore based in Accra, Ghana
- City Reads Books & Stationery: Adenta, Ghana
- Readers Hub Bookstore: Accra, Ghana
- Vidya Bookstore: Online bookstore based in Ghana
Kenya
- Book Duka: Online bookstore based in Kenya
- Book Lounge: Nairobi, Kenya
- Halfpriced Books: Nairobi, Kenya
- Kibanga Books: Nairobi, Kenya
- Nuria: Online bookstore based in Kenya
- Prestige Bookshop: Nairobi, Kenya
- Soma Nami Books: Nairobi, Kenya
Nigeria
- DainzBooks BookLoft: Enugu, Nigeria
- Jazzhole: Lagos, Nigeria
- Ouida Bookstore: Bookstore and independent publisher in Lagos, Nigeria
- Parrésia Publishers: Bookstore (PAGE Book Connoisseurs) and independent publisher in Lagos, Nigeria
- Patabuh Books: Locations in Lagos, Oniru, and Abuja, Nigeria
- Roving Heights: Locations in Lagos Mainland, Lagos Island, and Abuja, Nigeria
- Terra Kulture Bookstore: Lagos, Nigeria
- The Book Corner: Online bookstore in Nigeria
- TheBookDealerNg: Online bookstore in Nigeria
- The Book Loft: Lagos, Nigeria
- The Paperback Plug Stationery & Bookstore: Online bookstore based in Lagos, Nigeria
- Udara Books: Online bookstore in Nigeria
Senegal
- Chez Alpha Books: Dakar, Senegal
- Librairie Numerique Africaine/African Digital Bookstore: Online bookstore based in Senegal
South Africa
- Bhiyoza Publishers: Independent publisher in South Africa
- BlackBird Books: Independent publisher in South Africa
- Book Lingo: Independent publisher in South Africa
- Bula Buka Publishers: Independent publisher in South Africa
- Clare’s Bookshop: Cape Town, South Africa
- Poetree Publishers: Independent publisher in South Africa
- Xarra Books: Midrand, South Africa
Interested in books for children, young adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! It’s a work in progress with over 2,400 listings and counting.
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As the year winds down, it’s natural for us to think about our goals and ambitions for the upcoming year. For many Black youth, that includes graduating high school and the journey that follows.
From figuring out finances and career planning to discovering one’s strengths and life’s purpose, the books on this list will guide Black teens to success, no matter what path they choose to take.
Employment and Career Planning for Black Students
Your Choice, Three Options: College, Military or Trade School
This book breaks down the most common paths after high school: going to college, joining the military, or enrolling in trade school. As Barron Smith chose all three, he has a wealth of experience to help teens figure out their next steps. Click here for more information.
(Editor’s note: I could not find any other books about trade school that were written by Black authors or geared towards a Black audience. Same for books about military careers. As such, here are a few links to other resources for those interested in these career paths: Skilled Trade Career Planning For Teens, Apprenticeship Career Planning For Teens, Building Success in the Trades, Joining The U.S. Military: Everything You Need To Know Your Recruiter Won’t Tell You, The US Military: Is This the Career for You?: A Guide to Military Enlistment)
Who Needs a Career Coach Anyway?: The Ultimate Tell-All And Dream Career Navigation Guide To Take You From Where You Are—To Where You’re Meant To Be
From writing an eye-catching resume to negotiating the offer, this book offers key tips to succeed in the job market. Read more about the book here.
Y’all Hiring?: The Black Teen’s Guide to Navigating Employment
This book provides career planning tips for Black teens, including advice about challenging workplace discrimination, maintaining your integrity, improving your resume, managing workplace stress, and strategically exiting the position to further your career. Read more about the guide here.
Financial Literacy for Black Teens
Black Girl Finance
Black Girl Finance is an approachable guide to talking about money while dealing with the reality of the wage gap. Selina Falvius provides advice on budgeting, saving, and investing, as well as on changing the financial skills and money mindsets that have held many of us back. Click here for more information.
Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole
Written by “The Budgetnista,” this book is a roadmap toward “financial wholeness.” Tiffany Aliche provides a treasure chest of resources to develop key skills, build a plan, promote introspection, and create sustainable change. Click here for more information.
Financial Literacy Boot Camp for Teens and Young Adults: Six Steps to Living a Life of Financial Freedom
This financial guide is designed to give teens and young adults a solid financial foundation. Readers will learn a range of skills from finding a fulfilling career and creating a budget, to preparing for the future via investing and insurance. Read more about the book here.
Books to Empower Black Teens to Live Their Purpose and Reach Success
The Purpose Living Teen: A Teen’s Guide To Living Your Dreams
In this book, Darrell “Coach D” Andrews has created a guide to help teenagers overcome challenges and create a plan to live their purpose. Read more about the guide here.
It’s About Damn Time: How to Turn Being Underestimated Into Your Greatest Advantage
The founder and managing partner of Backstage Capital, Arlan Hamilton built her venture capital firm while homeless. She had no contacts in Silicon Valley, financial knowledge, or a college degree. Now she invests in other “underestimated” founders. In this memoir-turned-guide, she explains the lessons she’s learned along the way, helping readers to overcome the odds to find their own paths to success. Click here for more information.
Be Extraordinary: The Teenager’s Roadmap to Success!
Motivational speaker Darryl Ross shares strategies to help teens raise their own standards and reach success. Read more about the book here.
The Purpose Driven Teenager: A Teenager’s Guide to Discovering and Fulfilling Purpose
This book was written to help teens discover their talents, design a vision for their lives, and create goals to get there. Read more about the guide here.
College and Scholarship Resources for Black Students
101 Scholarship Applications – 2024 Edition: What It Takes to Obtain a Debt-Free College Education
This book contains over 101 scholarship applications, 300 scholarship sources—including award amounts, eligibility requirements, and website links—and strategies to graduate with as little debt as possible. Click here for more information.
The Black Family’s Guide to College Admissions: A Conversation about Education, Parenting, and Race
This resource will foster an open dialogue between parents, college-bound students, and the realities of the admissions process. This second edition will go deeper into current issues in the light of social justice movements, artificial intelligence, and the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Read more about the guide here.
College Bound: A Black Girl’s Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before Starting College
This book is designed to accompany Black girls from their junior year of high school through college graduation. From college applications to finding community on campus, Rahkal C. D. Shelton has created a series of tools to be successful all throughout their journey. Read more about the guide here.
The Ultimate Guide to HBCUs: Profiles, Stats, and Insights for All 101 Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Written in collaboration with The Princeton Review, Dr. Braque Talley has created this all-in-one guide about HBCUS (historically black colleges and universities). Click here for more information.
(Editor’s note: I plan on aggregating the resources specifically about HBCUs at a later date.)
Don’t Want to be the Only Black There: Successful Black Students Tell How Predominantly White Colleges Can Help Them Graduate
This book tells the story of 16 Black college students at PWIs (predominantly white institutions)—and how these colleges could help Black students succeed in the future. Click here for more information.
They Said This Would Be Fun: Race, Campus Life, and Growing Up
In this memoir, Eternity Martis recalls her experience as one of the few Black students at a Canadian university. A story of isolation and resilience, she fought through discrimination, found inner strength, and built a support system with other women of color. Click here for more information.
The African American Student’s Guide to STEM Careers
Authored by three specialists in the academic development of African Americans and minority students, this book is a comprehensive, practical guide to careers and higher education in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). It also includes contact information for schools and support systems, in addition to personal stories from professionals and students in STEM. Click here for more about the book.
Black Excel African American Student’s College Guide: Your One-Stop Resource for Choosing the Right College, Getting in, and Paying the Bill
This resource is designed to help Black students and their parents prepare for college. Issac Black guides teenagers to not sell themselves short, get in the best schools possible, and find the funds to pay for it. As a note, the original version was written in 2000, with a Kindle update in 2008. Read more about the guide here.
A Career Guide For Black Male Student Athletes: An Alternative To The Pros
Written by a former student athlete, this resource is designed to help others figure out the next step of their career and education—with or without sports. Read more about the book here.
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“Your life, as it exists today, is a life that matters enough to be written about.”—Jason Reynolds at The Daily Show
Jason Reynolds is one of the most renowned writers of children’s and young adult books of our time. His work is a must-read for anyone interested in Black male authors and intricate stories about Black youth. Through his humor, joy, and love for Black children, he tells stories that young readers can relate to, delving into topics such as racism, family, police brutality, romance, and grief.
The New York Times bestselling author has a list of honors under his name, including a Newbery Award, NAACP Image Award, Kirkus Award, a UK Carnegie Medal, Walter Dean Myers Award, multiple Coretta Scott King honors, and many others. For his most recent honor, he was awarded an $800,000 no-strings-attached grant as part of the latest cohort of MacArthur Fellows. The foundation recognized his talent for “depicting the rich inner lives of kids of color and ensuring that they see themselves and their communities in literature.”
While Jason Reynolds views his work as a love letter to Black youth, his work can speak to anyone. “You don’t have to be Black to connect to Black children or to connect to the stories that happen to have Black protagonists… I write to Black kids but the themes are for all children,” he told The Washington Post.
Here are 18 of his most highly acclaimed pieces.
Interested in books for children, young adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! It’s a work in progress with over 2,000 listings and counting.
Twenty-Four Seconds from Now…: A Love Story
Jason Reynolds’ latest book enters the mind of a teenage boy as he gets ready for a big first. In an interview with The Daily Show, he explained that the main character “is trying to figure out who he is in the midst of these new feelings for his girlfriend.”
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Long Way Down
This novel-in-verse takes place over 60 seconds—the length of time it takes to ride the elevator to the bottom of an apartment building. And, apparently, the time it takes Will to decide if he should kill the guy that murdered his brother.
Read more about the book here.
Ain’t Burned All the Bright
In collaboration with artist Jason Griffin, Ain’t Burned All the Bright uses poetry and art to express what it means to be Black in America, specifically in the context of the pandemic. It’s been described as an immersive experience and a fresh, modern approach to storytelling.
Read more about the book here.
As Brave As You
This book describes a summer in the countryside, a chance to learn more about family, and an opportunity to discover what, exactly, makes someone a man. At least it does for Genie, Ernie, and their blind grandfather.
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Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks
These short stories follow several kids on their way home from school, “showing all the different directions kids’ walks home can take.”
Read more about the book here.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Written in collaboration with Ibram X. Kendi, this resource explains how racism and racial justice shape modern-day society.
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Stamped (For Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You
An age-appropriate take on Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, proving that it’s never too early to have these important conversations.
Read more about the book here.
There Was a Party for Langston
There was a Party for Langston is Reynolds’ first picture book. This fun story is a tribute to Langston Hughes and all the visionaries he inspired to greatness.
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When I Was the Greatest
When I Was the Greatest follows three friends as they navigate life in a challenging neighborhood.
Read more about the book here.
For Every One
From the publisher: “Originally performed at the Kennedy Center for the unveiling of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and later as a tribute to Walter Dean Myers, this stirring and inspirational poem is New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist Jason Reynolds’s rallying cry to the young dreamers of the world.”
Click here to learn more.
All American Boys
In All American Boys, authors Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely depict police brutality through the eyes of a Black victim and a white witness.
Read more about the book here.
Ghost (Track, 1)
In the first installment of the Track series, Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team. Can he escape his dark past to do so?
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Patina (Track, 2)
In the second book of the Track series, Patina runs for her mom, who no longer can. The stress of living away from her mom and adjusting to a new school is causing some problems with the coach. Will this put her dreams in jeopardy?
Read more about the book here.
Sunny (Track, 3)
In the third installment of the Track series, Sunny runs in an attempt to please his dad. Sunny’s mom, who died giving birth to him, was a champion runner. But he doesn’t like running.
Click here to learn more about the book.
Lu (Track, 4)
In the final book of the Track series, we follow Lu, the co-captain of the track team. He wants to lead the others to victory, but there are some hurdles—literally and figuratively—to get through first.
Read more about the book here.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man
Miles Morales is a teenage Spider-Man, trying to save the world, spend time with friends, and avoid suspension. But lately, a series of nightmares and frequent “spidey senses” make him realize the neighborhood is in trouble.
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Miles Morales Suspended: A Spider-Man Novel
After saving the world in the last book, Miles finds himself in in-school suspension…where he learns that the world is in danger, again.
Read more about the book here.
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
In this graphic novel, Portico Reeves, a.k.a Stuntboy, likes to keep his family, friends, and neighbors safe from danger. However, his parents have been getting into a lot of fights lately. Stuntboy wants to save them, but how?
Click here for more information.
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The success of Black boys in K-12 education is a critical issue that demands attention, understanding, and intentional support. For educators committed to creating inclusive, empowering learning environments, it’s essential to engage with resources that provide insight into the unique challenges these students face, as well as the strategies that can foster their success.
This list of 13 books offers a range of perspectives to equip educators with the knowledge to uplift and advocate for Black boys in the classroom and beyond. Whether you’re an experienced teacher or just starting your journey, these books offer powerful lessons on identity, systemic inequality, and the transformative power of education.
Interested in books for children, young adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! It’s a work in progress with over 2,000 listings and counting.
Teaching Black Boys in the Elementary Grades: Advanced Disciplinary Reading and Writing to Secure Their Futures
From renowned educational scholar Alfred W. Tatum, Teaching Black Boys in the Elementary Grades explains how to implement early intellectual infrastructure of advanced literacy, knowledge, and personal development with young Black boys in mind and in accordance with Black intellectual tradition.
Read more about the book here.
Schooling for Resilience: Improving the Life Trajectory of Black and Latino Boys
Schooling for Resilience details the experience of seven new schools designed specifically for boys of color. Using surveys, interviews, focus groups, and classroom observations, the book explains the practices and strategies involved in creating an environment centered on Black and Brown students.
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Toward a BlackBoyCrit Pedagogy: Black Boys, Male Teachers, and Early Childhood Classroom Practices
Toward a BlackBoyCrit Pedagogy uses Black Critical Theory and Black Male Studies to analyze how Black male teachers can transform the experience of the Black boys in their classrooms. The book examines pedagogies, literacies, and educational practices.
Read more about the resource here.
Bad Boys: Public Schools in the Making of Black Masculinity
Through interviews with children, teachers, principals, truant officers, and relatives, Bad Boys details how Black males are singled out to be at risk for failure and punishment in public school environments. This book will be of interest to all educators, parents, and professionals “concerned about the way our schools are shaping the next generation of African American boys.”
Read more about the book here.
The Guide for White Women Who Teach Black Boys
Most elementary and secondary school teachers are white women. Using research, activities, personal stories, and video interviews, this resource was created to help those teachers connect with Black male students in diverse classrooms.
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The Brilliance of Black Boys: Cultivating School Success in the Early Grades
The Brillance of Black Boys emphasizes the importance of recognizing and cultivating the potential of Black boys in early childhood education through a strengths-based approach. It provides educators with strategies and resources to support the social-emotional development of Black boys, helping them achieve their full potential while addressing harmful stereotypes.
Read more about the book here.
Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males: Closing the Achievement Gap
Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males addresses the racial achievement gap in literacy by drawing from Alfred Tatum’s experiences as a student, middle school teacher, reading specialist, and staff developer in diverse schools. He offers practical, culturally responsive strategies for improving literacy instruction and assessment, focusing on the societal challenges Black males face and providing guidance on selecting meaningful texts.
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Reading for Their Life: (Re)Building the Textual Lineages of African American Adolescent Males
In Reading for Their Life, Alfred Tatum explains how culturally relevant texts help students connect with their identities and build resilience. He offers strategies for creating a curriculum that fosters academic and personal growth for Black boys and teens, emphasizing that conventional reading strategies may fail without this personalized, empowering approach.
Read more about the book here.
Keeping Black Boys Out of Special Education
Keeping Black Boys Out of Special Education takes an intersectional approach to explain why a disproportionate number of Black boys are in special education. The book offers over 100 strategies to keep Black boys in regular classrooms, including revising teacher expectations, increasing parental involvement, and adopting hands-on teaching methods.
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The Trouble with Black Boys: …And Other Reflections on Race, Equity, and the Future of Public Education
In The Trouble with Black Boys, Pedro Noguera explores the persistent influence of race in American society and its impact on education, highlighting the responsibility of educators to help students expand their racial identities and realize their full potential. He addresses topics like the achievement gap and immigration, offering insights on improving educational outcomes for all students amid the complexities of race.
Read more about the book here.
How Teachers Position Black Boys in Ontario’s K-12 Schools
This book details how “zero tolerance” policies and prejudice have affected the treatment of Black male students in Ontario, Canada. It also introduces a concept called “culturally responsive training,” a framework for educators to learn about the background of their students.
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Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and in Life
Promises Kept aims to help Black boys close the achievement gap and succeed at every phase of life. Using innovative research, practical strategies, and interviews with parents and children, this book will guide educators and parents in helping their children develop resilience, self-discipline, and emotional intelligence in the face of a challenging world.
Read more about the book here.
Who Cares About Black Boys?: Moving from Acknowledgment to Advocacy
Who Cares About Black Boys addresses the negative messages schools send about Black male students, questioning their value and academic capabilities. It emphasizes the importance of cultural competence in educating the educator, advocating for students, and improving academic achievement.
Click here for more information.
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In today’s classrooms, it’s essential for educators to create environments where all students feel seen, valued, and empowered. For Black girls in K-12 classrooms, the journey through education can come with troubling challenges—from criminalization and abuse to a lack of educational policies and culturally competent teachers. Resources designed with the needs of Black students in mind can make a world of difference.
This list of 14 books is designed specifically to help teachers nurture, inspire, and support Black girls in early childhood, elementary, and secondary education. From stories that celebrate Black girlhood to insightful guides for fostering inclusive learning spaces, these books provide invaluable tools for educators committed to affirming and uplifting every student.
Interested in books for children, young adults, parents, or educators with Black protagonists and Black authors? Check out the Books for Black Kids book directory! It’s a work in progress with over 2,000 listings and counting.
Making Black Girls Count in Math Education: A Black Feminist Vision for Transformative Teaching
In this book, Nicole M. Joseph details the systems, policies, and practices that contribute to inequalities and imbalances in mathematics education for Black girls from preschool to graduate school. She offers practical tips to foster success as well as a call-to-action to transform math learning environments, curriculum design and implementation, and testing and assessments.
Read more about the resource here.
Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools
Pushout discusses how policies, practices, and prejudice may force Black girls into juvenile detention and an uncertain future. This is touted as the first book to tell the stories of young Black girls who experienced a school-related arrest and entered the penitentiary system, often due to misunderstandings among teachers, administrators, and the justice system.
Click here for more information.
The State of Black Girls: A Go-To Guide for Creating Safe Space for Black Girls
Designed with teenage readers in mind, this book offers a guide to equip Black girls to succeed inside and outside the classroom. “This book offers perspectives, activities, and prompts that can help you to know what factors are at play in life and in society, and how to navigate them with poise and success.”
Click here for more information about the guide.
Teaching Black Girls: Resiliency in Urban Classrooms
Teaching Black Girls uses an ethnographic study to showcase both the resiliency and vulnerability of Black female students at urban schools. Using qualitative research methods to explore intersectionality at play, the book examines how this resiliency is racially and culturally relevant. The findings in this resource are relevant for graduate students and practicing teachers alike.
Read more about the book here.
Sing a Rhythm, Dance a Blues: Education for the Liberation of Black and Brown Girls
Through research, case studies, interviews, and reflections on real life, this resources uses the blues to create a radical, healing guide for Black and Brown girls in the classroom. “The result is this radiant guide to moving away from punishment, trauma, and discrimination toward safety, justice, and genuine community in our schools.”
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Hear Our Truths: The Creative Potential of Black Girlhood
A guide to using art and creativity in self-expression, Hear Our Truths expounds upon the “Saving Our Lives Hear Our Truths,” or SOLHOT, youth intervention. This book explores Black feminist thought and methodology as a way to “affirm complexity, interrogate power, and produce humanizing representation of Black girls’ lives.”
Read more about the resource here.
Strong Black Girls: Reclaiming Schools in Their Own Image
Strong Black Girls discusses the issues encountered by Black girls and teenagers while pursuing an education, some of which may be invisible to the untrained eye. Storytelling, essays, letters, poetry, and discussion questions are used to explore these narratives and continue the discussion towards a culturally relevant reform in public institutions.
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Cultivating Joyful Learning Spaces for Black Girls: Insights into Interrupting School Pushout
This book provides insights from educators and clinical practitioners into creating learning environments to support Black girls and teenagers. “The key to disrupting such punitive pushout is for educators to develop meaningful relationships with Black girls—connections that are grounded in cultural understanding and focused on helping Black girls develop their identities as valued individuals and contributors to the larger community.”
Read more about the guide here.
All About Black Girl Love in Education: Bell Hooks and Pedagogies of Love
Building upon bell hooks’ All About Love, this resource shows how teachers, school leaders, community educators, and researchers can transform the narrative of Black girls and teenagers in K-12 education. Scholars and educators interested in urban education, race and ethnicity in education, gender studies, literacy, multicultural education, and diversity and equity in education will appreciate how these strategies connect theory and practice inside and outside the classroom.
Click here to learn more.
Black Girls’ Literacies: Transforming Lives and Literacy Practices
Black Girls’ Literacies aims to facilitate inclusive environments to promote language and literacy education through writing, literature, digital media, community engagement, and more. The accompanied framework offers a strategy to comprehend the nuances and complexities involved in creating diverse spaces with this goal in mind.
Read more about the guide here.
Educating Black Girls
Using trends and statistics, this book offers over 50 possible strategies to create a culturally relevant academic environment to foster success for Black girls in elementary and secondary education.
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Investing in the Educational Success of Black Women and Girls
This four-part book discusses the challenges encountered by Black women and girls from preschool to university, as well as potential implications and strategies for practitioners, policymakers, teachers, and administrators.
Read more about the guide here.
Teaching Beautiful Brilliant Black Girls
With several tips to center Black female excellence in the classroom, this book is a call-to-action for educational justice and fairness. Teaching Beautiful Brilliant Black Girls aims to counter the obstacles faced by Black students by showcasing their beauty, talents, and brilliance.
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The Black Girl in the Classroom
This guide offers practical advice to foster self-esteem; Black history, heritage, and culture; career development; and classroom lessons to promote success and inclusion for Black girls.
Read more about the book here.
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