By Chris Olsen

There are more than 2,100 independent booksellers in the U.S., operating about 2,600 shops. Only around 6 percent are Black-owned, and a fraction of those are Black women- or LGBTQ-owned. Join Publish Her in supporting these diverse booksellers this month and all year long:

ADANNE BOOKSHOP: A Brooklyn, New York-based Black woman-owned bookstore committed to providing an inclusive space to discover books by authors of color, broadening perspectives and engaging in meaningful conversations; founded by Darlene Okpo. Adanne.co

AFRIWARE BOOKS, CO.: A Black woman-owned mobile bookstore and resource center based in Oak Park, Illinois, that showcases authors, artists and advocates who inspire cultural pride; founded by Nzingha Nommo. AfriwareBooks.com

BEM BOOKS AND MORE: A Brooklyn, New York-based bookstore that combines two sisters’ love for food, books and the cultures of the African diaspora; founded by Danielle and Gabrielle Davenport. BEMBrooklyn.com

BLACK ENGLISH BOOKSTORE: A Black woman-owned bookstore in Tampa, Florida, dedicated to promoting books by Black authors, supporting young readers, elevating the voices of HBCU alumni, and combating book bans; founded by Gwendolyn Henderson. BlackEnglishBooks.com

BLACK GARNET BOOKS: A St. Paul, Minnesota-based Black- and LGBTQ-owned bookstore specializing in adult and young adult contemporary literature by Black and racially diverse authors; owned by Terresa Moses. BlackGarnetBooks.com

BLACK PEARL BOOKS: A Black woman-owned bookstore in Austin, Texas, dedicated to promoting diversity, inclusion and representation through literature, as well as fostering community engagement through writing and publishing workshops; founded by Katrina Brooks. BlackPearlBookstore.com

BLENHEIM HILL BOOKS: A Hobart, New York-based Black women-owned bookshop offering a rich selection of poetry, women’s history and young adult books; owned by Barbara Balliet and Cheryl Clarke. BlenheimHillBooks.com

BLISS BOOKS AND WINE: A Kansas City, Missouri-based Black women-owned business blending a love of books and wine to create a community space that supports local artists and authors and offers a relaxing place to read and sip; owned by siblings La’Nesha Frazier and La’Nae Robinson. BlissBooksAndWine.com

BLK + BRWN: A Black woman-owned bookstore in Kansas City, Missouri, dedicated to creating safe spaces, amplifying Black and Brown voices, and celebrating stories that center these communities; founded by Cori Smith. BLKBRWN.com

THE BOOK BAR: A Richmond, Virginia-based Black woman-owned bookstore centered around BIPOC authors and brands to uplift and support often-silenced cultures; founded by Krystle Dandridge. RVABookBar.com

THE BOOK WORM: A Black woman-owned community-focused bookstore in Powder Springs, Georgia, offering titles from local authors to global bestsellers and promoting self-love and literacy; owned by Julia Davis. TheBookwormOnline.com

THE BOTTOM: A Black woman-owned multi-use space in Knoxville, Tennessee, that includes a bookstore, tea room, podcast studio and sewing studio created to reclaim and reimagine Black culture and foster community, safety and belonging; founded by Dr. Enkeshi El-Amin. TheBottomKnox.com

BRAIN LAIR BOOKS: A Black woman-owned South Bend, Indiana-based bookstore striving to help customers see themselves through books; founded by Kathy Burnette. BrainLairBooks.com

CAFÉ CON LIBROS: A Black- and Latina-owned intersectional feminist bookstore and coffee shop located in Brooklyn, New York; founded by Kalima DeSuze. CafeConLibrosBk.com

CALL AND RESPONSE BOOKS: A Black woman-owned bookstore in Chicago, Illinois, focused on fostering community and sharing ideas across cultures; founded by Courtney Bledsoe. CallAndResponseChi.com

COMMA BOOKSTORE AND SOCIAL HUB: A Flint, Michigan-based bookstore specializing in Black and Brown literature, art, local brands, and using storytelling as a tool for social justice and community mobilization; founded by Egypt Otis. CommaBookstore.com

COMMUNITY BOOK CENTER: A Black woman-owned New Orleans, Louisiana-based shop serving the community since 1983, offering African-centered books, art, gifts and more; founded by Vera Warren-Wiliams. ReadCBC.com

DA BOOK JOINT: A Black woman-owned bookstore located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, committed to fostering literary growth and engaging youth through diverse books and community events; founded by Verlean Singletary. DaBookJoint.com

THE DOCK BOOKSHOP: A Fort Worth, Texas-based Black women-owned bookstore offering books, events, and community programs that promote Black culture, support local authors, and amplify marginalized voices; founded by sisters Donna and Donya Craddock. TheDockBookshop.com

ELIZABETH’S BOOKSHOP AND WRITING CENTRE: A Black- and LGBTQ-owned literacy center located in Akron, Ohio, dedicated to amplifying and celebrating marginalized voices; founded by Rachel E. Cargle. ElizabethsOfAkronShop.com

ENDA’S BOOKTIQUE: A Black woman-owned bookstore located in Dallas, Texas, offering books by educators and independent authors, fostering community education and supporting literary growth; founded by Dr. E. Jean Pemberton. EndasBooktique.com

FULTON STREET BOOKS AND COFFEE: A Black woman-owned Tulsa, Oklahoma-based shop that elevates stories about the lived experiences of people of color and marginalized communities; founded by Onikah Asamoa-Caesar. FultonStreet918.com

GOOD BOOKS: A Black women-owned Atlanta, Georgia-based shop that combines the wonder of books and Black culture; founded by Katie Mitchell. GoodBooksATL.com

GRAND GESTURE BOOKS: A Portland, Oregon-based romance-only bookseller that celebrates diverse voices and love stories and offers a wide range of romance genres, from LGBTQ+ to fantasy; founded by Katherine D. Morgan. Instagram.com/GrandGestureBooks

HARRIETT’S BOOKSHOP: Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and operated by Our Sister Bookshops, Harriett’s Bookshop is one of two Black woman-owned booksellers (along with Ida’s Bookshop) celebrating women authors, artists and activists; founded by Jeannine Cook. OurSisterBookshops.com

IDA’S BOOKSHOP: Based in Collingswood, New Jersey, and operated by Our Sister Bookshops, Ida’s Bookshop is one of two Black woman-owned booksellers (along with Harriett’s Bookshop) celebrating women authors, artists and activists; founded by Jeannine Cook. OurSisterBookshops.com

KINDRED STORIES: A Black woman-owned bookstore and cultural hub in Houston, Texas, dedicated to uplifting diverse voices, promoting African American literature, and offering author events and youth programs; founded by Terri Hamm. KindredStoriesHTX.com

LIBERATION STATION BOOKSTORE: A Raleigh, North Carolina-based Black woman-owned children’s bookstore dedicated to amplifying Black voices, making representation accessible, and creating safe reading spaces for children of color; founded by Victoria Scott-Miller. LiberationStationBookstore.com

THE LIT. BAR: A Black- and Latina-owned bookstore and wine bar located in the Bronx, New York; founded by Noëlle Santos. TheLitBar.com

LIZ’S BOOK BAR: A Brooklyn, New York-based bookstore, coffee shop and wine bar inspired by the owner’s grandmother, Elizabeth Parker, and offering a curated selection of books, exceptional beverages, and a vibrant space for community connection and creativity; founded by Maura Cheeks. LizsBookBar.com.

LOUDMOUTH BOOKS: A Black- and queer woman-owned bookstore in Indianapolis, Indiana, celebrating marginalized authors and banned books through author events and community programming; founded by bestselling author Leah Johnson. LoudmouthIndy.com

LOYALTY BOOKSTORES: A Black and queer bookseller in Washington, D.C. and Silver Springs, Maryland, working to diversify the book industry and promote anti-racist reading; founded by Hannah Oliver Depp. LoyaltyBookstores.com

THE LUXE LIBRARY: A Black woman-owned bookstore in the greater New York area specializing in books, music and media for youth and families; founded by Delicia B. Davis. TheLuxeLibrary.co

MEDU BOOKSTORE: An Atlanta, Georgia-based Black woman-owned literary hub specializing in culturally significant and hard-to-find books; founded by Mia Damali. MeduBookstore.com

MULTICULTURAL CHILDREN’S BOOKSTORE AND GIFTS: A Richmond, California-based Black woman-owned shop specializing in books by African-American, Latinx, Native American, Asian and LGBTQ+ authors and more; founded by author Tamara Shiloh. MulticulturalBookstore.com

NICHE BOOK BAR: A Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Black woman-owned bookstore showcasing new and used books and specializing in hard-to-find Black literature in a variety of genres; founded by Cetonia Weston. FindYourNicheMKE.com

OCTAVIA’S BOOKSHELF: A Pasadena, California-based bookseller celebrating books by BIPOC authors while creating a welcoming space for readers to discover new worlds, enjoy a cup of coffee, and connect with community. OctaviasBookshelf.com

PLANTING PEOPLE GROWING JUSTICE PRESS AND BOOKSTORE: A Minnesota-based Black woman-led nonprofit dedicated to promoting literacy, cultural awareness and leadership development; founded by Dr. Artika Tyner. PPGJBooks.com

READER’S BLOCK: A Black- and LGBTQ-owned bookseller based in Stratford, Connecticut, providing an inclusive selection of books; founded by Tondrea Mabins. ReadersBlockBookstore.com

REPARATIONS CLUB: A Black- and LGBTQ-owned Los Angeles, California-based concept shop featuring books and home goods; owned by Jazzi McGilbert. Rep.club

ROFHIWA BOOK CAFÉ: A Black- and LGBTQ-owned independent book and coffee shop located in East Durham, North Carolina; owned by Bev Tumi Makhubele and Naledi Yaziyo. RofhiwaBooks.com

THE SALT EATERS: A Black- and LGBTQ-owned bookseller prioritizing Black women, girls, femmes and gender-expansive individuals; founded by Asha Grant. TheSaltEatersBooks.com

SEMICOLON BOOKSTORE: A Black woman-owned Chicago, Illinois-based bookstore and art gallery nurturing the connections between literature, art and the pursuit of knowledge; founded by Danielle Mullen. SemicolonChi.com

SHADES OF AFRIKA: A Black woman-owned Long Beach, California-based shop that offers books, natural hair care, oils and holistic products and strives for the betterment of its communities; founded by Renee Quarles. ShadesOfAfrika.com

SISTAH SCIFI: A Black woman-owned bookseller based in Oakland, California, featuring titles focused on Afro-futurism, Indigenous futurism, science fiction and fantasy; founded by Isis Asare. SistahScifi.com

SISTER’S UPTOWN: A Black women-owned New York City-based bookstore and culture center on a mission to provide a positive source of information and ideas; founded by sisters Janifer and Kari Wilson. SistersUptownBookstore.com

SOUL BOOK NOOK: A Black woman-owned bookstore in Waterloo, Iowa, offering a diverse selection of books with a focus on BIPOC authors and creating a community space for cultural representation and inclusion; founded by Amber Collins. Instagram.com/SoulBookNook

STORIES OF A COLORFUL WORLD: A Black women-owned bookseller that believes every child deserves to see themselves in the books they read; founded by Vanessa Mitchell and Kanika Mobley. StoriesOfAColorfulWorld.com

STRIVE PUBLISHING AND BOOKSTORE: A Black woman-owned Minneapolis, Minnesota-based shop featuring books from diverse authors as well as Strive Publishing, an organization using publishing to heal, teach, learn and earn; founded by Mary Taris. StrivePublishing.com

WILLA’S BOOKS AND VINYL: A Kansas City, Missouri-based shop specializing in used, rare and first-edition African American books, plus a collection of vintage jazz and blues LPs; founded by Willa Robinson. Willasbookskc.com

YES, PLEASE BOOKS: A Black- and queer-owned book house and care space in Scottdale, Georgia, honoring Black women and gender-expansive writers and readers; founded by Lauren M. Jones. YesPleaseBooks.com

Do you own or support a Black women-owned bookstore not mentioned here? Let us know and we’ll add it to the list!

Photo: Sistah Scifi

About the Author

Chris Olsen is a book designer, publisher, educator and the author of “Whyography: Building a Brand Fueled by Purpose.” The founder of Publish Her and Publish Her Story, Chris has helped thousands of women tell their stories and publish their books.

About Publish Her

Publish Her is a female-founded publisher dedicated to educating authors and elevating the words, writing and stories of women. We are passionate about amplifying the voices of women of color, women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We aim to make publishing an attainable, exciting and collaborative process for all.