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.View this List by Location, on a Map, or on a List
Underground Books
2814 35th Street
Sacramento, CA 95817
Owner/Proprietor: Kevin Johnson
Phone: 916-737-3333
Store Hours: Monday to Saturday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sundays 12 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Opened: 2003
Notes:
Underground Books, founded in summer 2003 by St. HOPE (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit), anchors the 40 Acres Cultural Center in Oak Park. After the community lost its only library in the 1970s, St. HOPE’s founder, Kevin Johnson, made it his mission to restore local access to books.
Dubbed the “literary hub of Oak Park,” Underground Books offers classes, author talks, book signings, poetry readings, children’s programs, and pop-ups featuring Black-owned vendors—ensuring every child can explore, learn, and grow.
Oak Park native Georgia “Mother Rose” West (who passed in 2024), Kevin Johnson’s mom, launched this vital resource; today, it stands as a beloved community pillar.
Book Store Website
Our goal is to provide you with accurate information. However, it is possible some of the information here is incorrect. Please send corrections or additions to troy@aalbc.com or the information in the comments section below. Please contact the bookstore directly to confirm any information provided. Underground Books’s information was last updated on, Feb 02, 2017.