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
6 Bookstores Found in Illinois
Afriware Books, Co
137 N. Oak Park Ave Suite 207
Oak Park, IL 60301
Store Hours: By Appointment Only
Owner/Proprietor: Nzingha Nommo
Phone: ?708-223-8081
Stored Opened in: 1993
Afriware Books, Co Information Updated: 2015-12-13
Burst Into Books
119 E 107th St.
Chicago, IL 60628
Store Hours: Mon to Saturday 9:00?AM - 5:00?PM, Sun Closed
Owner/Proprietor: Jurema Gorham
Phone: (872) 702-4998
Stored Opened in: 2024
Impacting the Lives of Children and Families through Literacy
Burst Into Books Information Updated: 2025-07-02
Call & Response Books
1390 E Hyde Park Blvd
Chicago, IL 60615
Store Hours: Tues, Wed, and Thu: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Fri and Sat, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sun: 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.; Monday: CLOSED
Owner/Proprietor: Courtney Bledsoe
Phone: (773) 217-8565
Stored Opened in: 2024
Call & Response is a Black woman-owned bookstore focused on fostering a love of reading, community, human connections, and the sharing of ideas across cultures and backgrounds.
Call & Response Books Information Updated: 2025-06-12
Da Book Joint
6900 S Stony Island Ave
Chicago, IL 60649
Store Hours: Wed - Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., amd Sun 12 p.m.to 4 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Courtney Woods and Verlean Singletary
Phone: 877-726-6556
Stored Opened in: 2007
Da Book Joint is a Black woman-owned business born on the Southside of Chicago committed to literary growth and positive engagement of the youth.
Da Book Joint Information Updated: 2025-06-12
The Underground Bookstore
1727 E. 87th Street
Chicago, IL 60617
Store Hours: Mon - Sat 11:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Owner/Proprietor: Yoel Ahmechshadye
Phone: 773-768-8869
Stored Opened in: 1992
How one Black-owned bookstore has navigated business since 2020 (WBEZ, Feb 19, 2025)
The Underground Bookstore Information Updated: 2025-02-25
Zora’s Place
2223 Washington St.
Evanston, IL 60202
Store Hours:
Owner/Proprietor: L’Oreal Thompson Payton
Phone: 847-497-0577
Stored Opened in: 2025
Evanston’s Black feminist bookstore
Opening Soon
Zora’s Place Information Updated: 2025-08-02
Read Why This Book Store List is so Important.
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