Bookstores in the United States that Specialize in Black Literature
Bookstores By Name ★ By State ★ On a Map ★ On a List
15 Bookstores Found in California
Ashay by the Bay
1411 Webster Street
Oakland, CA 94612
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: 2017-06-05
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.
Carol’s Books Information Updated: 2017-06-04
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: 2020-06-04
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
Ethnic Notions Bookstore
Bookstore Photo Coming
433 Solano Dr
Benicia, CA 94510
Store Hours:
Owner/Proprietor:
Phone: 707-334-3060
Stored Opened in: 2000
Unable to determine if store is still operational as of March 21, 2014.
Ethnic Notions Bookstore Information Updated: 2014-03-21
Hanna’s Ethnic Bookseller
Bookstore Photo Coming
240 Blue Mountain Way
Claremont, CA 91711
Store Hours:
Owner/Proprietor:
Phone: 909-626-5051
Stored Opened in: 2000
Unable to determine if store is still operational as of March 21, 2014.
Hanna’s Ethnic Bookseller Information Updated: 2014-03-21
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
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: 2014-04-04
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
West County READS Multicultural Children’s Book Store
2325 Hilltop Mall Drive
Richmond, CA 94806
Store Hours: Tues to Sat 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sun & Mon 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor:
Phone: (510) 422-5304
Stored Opened in: 2017
Come visit the ONLY multicultural bookstore in the County. Tons of books for Black, Latino, Asian, Native American kids of all ages and adults too!
West County READS Multicultural Children’s Book Store Information Updated: 2018-04-25
Zahra’s Books and Things
900 North La Brea Ave
Inglewood, CA 90302
Store Hours: Mo-Sa 11AM-7PM; Su 12noon-5PM
Owner/Proprietor: Renee Mendscole
Phone: 310-330-1300
Stored Opened in: 2000
Zahra’s Books and Things Information Updated: 2014-03-19
Zambezi Bazaar
3347 W 43rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Store Hours: Tues - Sat: 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Mon & Sun: Closed
Owner/Proprietor: Jackie Ryan
Phone: (323) 299-6383
Stored Opened in: 1990
This store has probably closed. Located in Leimert Park on West 43rd Street Boulevard in Los Angeles, is Zambezi Bazaar, a family operated retail store that sells African American themed merchandise. The Kimbrough family opened and operated in the Leimert Park community over 20 years. Jackie Ryan is continuing the traditions of the original location, as the owner and operator of the new Zambezi Bazaar retail location.
Zambezi Bazaar Information Updated: 2016-04-12
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