149 Black-Owned Book Stores in the United States

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AALBC Founder’s Note: Our list highlights Black-owned bookstores or bookstores that focuses on the work of Black writers. This list is meant to be shared. If you reference information from this list, or share it in its entirety, as a courtesy please cite AALBC.com as the source and link back to this page More ▶

View this List by Bookstore NameLocation, or on a Map



12 Bookstore(s) Who Specialize(s) in Black Books


Photo of Ashay by the Bay1 – Ashay by the Bay
157 Albatrosse Way
Vallejo, CA 94589
Owner/Proprietor: Deborah Day
Phone: 1-844-543-7732
Email: ashaybythebayceo@gmail.com
Opened in: 2017
Last updated: 2021-01-26 (175)

Photo of Carol’s Books2 – Carol’s Books
1913 Del Paso Blvd
Sacramento, CA 95815
Owner/Proprietor: Carol
Phone: (916) 646-6525
Email: hello@carolsbookstore.com
Opened in: 2017
Last updated: 2020-11-25 (9)

Photo of D3 Comic Book Spot3 – D3 Comic Book Spot
2148 Hilltop Mall Rd
Richmond, CA 94806
Owner/Proprietor: Darren Macon
Phone: 510-283-5051
Email: d3comicbookspot@yahoo.com
Opened in: 2015
Last updated: 2020-11-18 (211)

Photo of Malik Books4 – Malik Books
3650 W Martin Luther King Jr Blvd Ste 245
Los Angeles, CA 90008
Owner/Proprietor: Malik and April
Phone: (323) 389-8040
Email: malik@malikbooks.com
Opened in: 1990
Last updated: 2020-10-29 (227)

Photo of Marcus Books (Oakland)5 – Marcus Books (Oakland)
3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Oakland, CA 94609
Owner/Proprietor: Johnson Family
Phone: (510) 652-2344
Email: info@marcusbooksoakland.com
Opened in: 1960
Last updated: 2017-06-05 (12)

Photo of Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts6 – Multicultural Bookstore and Gifts
260 Broadway
Richmond, CA 94804
Owner/Proprietor: Tamara Shiloh
Phone: (510) 422-5304
Email: multiculturalbookstore@gmail.com
Opened in: 2019
Last updated: 2022-04-25 (206)

Photo of Reparations Club7 – Reparations Club
3054 S. Victoria Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90016
Owner/Proprietor: Jazzi McGilbert
Phone: 323-591-0012
Email: info@reparations.club
Opened in: 2019
Last updated: 2020-11-18 (228)

Photo of Shades of Afrika Bookstore8 – Shades of Afrika Bookstore
1001 E 4th St.
Long Beach , CA 90802
Owner/Proprietor: Sista Renee Quarles
Phone: (562) 436-2210
Email: shadesofafrika@gmail.com
Opened in: 1994
Last updated: 2014-04-06 (140)

Photo of Smiley’s Bookstore9 – Smiley’s Bookstore
940 East Dominguez Suite K
Carson, CA 90746
Owner/Proprietor:
Phone: (310) 324-8444
Email: info@SmileysBooks.org
Opened in: 1993
Last updated: 0000-00-00 (13)

Photo of Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore10 – Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore
13197 Gladstone Ave. Unit A
Sylmar, CA 91342
Owner/Proprietor: Non-for-Profit
Phone: 818-939-3433
Email: tiachuchabookstore@gmail.com
Opened in: 2001
Last updated: 2014-03-19 (133)

Photo of Underground Books11 – Underground Books
2814 35th Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
Owner/Proprietor: “Mother Rose”
Phone: 916-737-3333
Email: gwest@underground-books.com
Opened in: 2002
Last updated: 2017-02-02 (110)

Photo of Word of Life Christian Bookstores12 – Word of Life Christian Bookstores
6321 West Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
Owner/Proprietor: Jonathan Curtiss
Phone: 323-295-8223
Email: jon@shopwordoflife.com
Opened in: 1961
Last updated: 2022-10-10 (214)

We make an effort to ensure this list, our maps, and individual store pages are accurate, but it is a volunteer effort, so please report any mistakes or ommissions. You may also share corrections in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

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Also, if your intent is to showcase Black-owned independent stores, please note AALBC.com is the oldest and largest Black-owned online bookseller, operates pop-up bookstores, and sells books at events. For almost a quarter of a century we have published, bestseller lists, book reviews, profiles of authors, videos, articles, and more. Check out our list of Black-owned online bookstores

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