Bookstores in the United States that Specialize in Black Literature
Add a Black-owned bookstore to this list. Read about AALBC’s Founder’s favorite 10 Bookstores.Bookstores By Name ★ By State ★ On a Map ★ On a List
13 Bookstores Found in California
Ashay by the Bay

157 Albatrosse Way
Vallejo, CA 94589
Store Hours:
Owner/Proprietor: Deborah Day
Phone: 1-844-543-7732
Stored Opened in: 2017
African American and Multi-Cultural Children’s Books
Ashay by the Bay Information Updated: 2021-01-26
Carol’s Books

1913 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
Store Hours: Mo-Sa 10AM-6PM; Su 12noon-5pm
Owner/Proprietor: Carol
Phone: (916) 646-6525
Stored Opened in: 2017
Reopened May 2017! Originally opened 2000 to 2014. Phone currently disconnected
Carol’s Books Information Updated: 2020-11-25
D3 Comic Book Spot

2148 Hilltop Mall Rd
Richmond, CA 94806
Store Hours:
Owner/Proprietor: Darren Macon
Phone: 510-283-5051
Stored Opened in: 2015
A friendly neighborhood comics and collectibles spot for nerds of all ages.
D3 Comic Book Spot Information Updated: 2020-11-18
Eso Won Bookstore

4327 Degnan Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Store Hours: Mo - Sa 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Su 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: James Fugate and Thomas Hamilton
Phone: (323) 290-1048
Stored Opened in: 1990
In the heart of historic Leimert Park
Eso Won Bookstore Information Updated: 2014-03-19
Malik Books

3650 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Ste 245
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Store Hours: Mon - Fri 11:00 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sat 10:00 a.m. - 9 p.m., Sun 10:00 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Malik and April
Phone: (323) 389-8040
Stored Opened in: 1990
Malik Books specializes in American American books, calendars, and gifts full of cultural diversity, positive self reflection, & self awareness.
Malik Books Information Updated: 2020-10-29
Marcus Books (Oakland)

3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Oakland, CA 94609
Store Hours: Hours: Mon - Sat 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Sun 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Johnson Family
Phone: (510) 652-2344
Stored Opened in: 1960
Books by and about black people everywhere.
Marcus Books (Oakland) Information Updated: 2017-06-05
Reparations Club

3054 S. Victoria Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Store Hours: Mon - Tues by appointment only, Wed - Sat 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sun 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Jazzi McGilbert
Phone: 323-591-0012
Stored Opened in: 2019
Rep Club is a concept (book)shop & creative space curated by Blackness in Los Angeles, CA. Black-owned. Woman-owned.
Reparations Club Information Updated: 2020-11-18
Shades of Afrika Bookstore

1001 E 4th St.
Long Beach , CA 90802
Store Hours: Tue - Wed: 11am - 7pm, Thu: 11am - 10pm, Fri: 11am - 7pm, Sat: 11am - 10pm, Sun: 11am - 4pm
Owner/Proprietor: Sista Renee Quarles
Phone: (562) 436-2210
Stored Opened in: 1994
Our Mission is to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the Afrikan Diaspora.
Shades of Afrika Bookstore Information Updated: 2014-04-06
Smiley’s Bookstore

940 East Dominguez Suite K
Carson, CA 90746
Store Hours: Mon: 8:30 am - 8:00 am, Sat: 9:00 am - 8:00 am, Sun: 11:00 am - 6:00 am
Owner/Proprietor:
Phone: (310) 324-8444
Stored Opened in: 1993
Known as the 'Literacy Hub of the South Bay', the bookstore is also the home of the famous Juice-C-Juice Bar
Smiley’s Bookstore Information Updated: 0000-00-00
The Multicultural Children's Book Store

1116 Hilltop Mall Drive
Richmond, CA 94806
Store Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Sunday & Monday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Tamara
Phone: (510) 422-5304
Stored Opened in: 2019
Books for many cultures: African American, Latino, Native American, Asian/South Asian, Middle Eastern and Filipino, LGBTQ, Disability and Biracial.
The Multicultural Children's Book Store Information Updated: 2020-02-04
Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore

13197 Gladstone Ave. Unit A
Sylmar, CA 91342
Store Hours: Mon to Thur 2:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Fri 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., Sat 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Non-for-Profit
Phone: 818-939-3433
Stored Opened in: 2001
Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural is a not-for-profit cultural arts center and bookstore
Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore Information Updated: 2014-03-19
Underground Books

2814 35th Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
Store Hours: Tues - Fri 12:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Georgia West “Mother Rose”
Phone: 916-737-3333
Stored Opened in: 2002
Since the closing of the only library in Oak Park in the 1970’s, it became the mission of St. HOPE founder, Kevin Johnson (former Sacramento Mayor and an NBA player), to ensure that the students and the community had access to books.
As part of the larger 40 Acres Cultural Center, Underground Books is a nonprofit under St. HOPE and has become a gathering place for neighborhood residents.
Underground Books hosts book signings by local and national authors, lectures, poetry events, children’s story time, radio shows and much more!
Managed and operated by Georgia “Mother Rose” West (pictured in the video above), the bookstore has proudly become a well-known pillar in the Oak Park community.
Underground Books Information Updated: 2017-02-02
Word of Life Christian Bookstores

6321 West Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
Store Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Jonathan Curtiss
Phone: 323-295-8223
Stored Opened in: 1961
Word of Life Christian Bookstore was started in 1961, by Joe & Evelyn Curtiss. Today, Word of Life is a leading Christian Retailer in the Los Angeles community, serving more than 400 churches, and thousands of customers throughout the USA. Word of Life specializes in bibles, Christian books, curriculum, greeting cards, gifts, music, church supplies, robes & Christian witness attire, as well as general interest products for the Christian market. Our Mission Statement: Our Mission is to reach our community with life changing Christian products and services that will impact the lives of people everywhere.
Word of Life Christian Bookstores Information Updated: 2020-11-23
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