Discover an Independent Black Owned Bookstore Near You
Add a Black-owned bookstore to this list. Read about AALBC’s Founder’s favorite 10 Bookstores.View this List by Bookstore Name, on a List, or on a Map
10 Bookstores Found in California
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
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
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 Information Updated: 2017-06-05
Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts
260 Broadway
Richmond, CA 94804
Store Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Monday 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Tamara Shiloh
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.
Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts Information Updated: 2022-04-25
Octavia’s Bookshelf
1361 North Hill Ave
Pasadena, CA 91104
Store Hours: Sun - Sat 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Nikki High
Phone: (626) 421-6222
Stored Opened in: 2022
Independent bookstore highlighting BIPOC authors.
Octavia’s Bookshelf Information Updated: 2023-07-25
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
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: “Mother Rose”
Phone: 916-737-3333
Stored Opened in: 2002
Underground Books opened in the summer of 2003 and is the literary hub of Oak Park. Since the closing of the only library in Oak Park in the 1970’s, it became the mission of St. HOPE founder, Kevin Johnson, 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.
Managed and operated by Georgia “Mother Rose” West (shown in the video below), 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: Tue to Fri: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Sun & Mon Closed
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: 2022-10-10
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