by Jameelah Mullen
March 2, 2026
The Nationwide Affiliation of Black Bookstores is a nonprofit group devoted to growing the visibility of Black-owned bookstores in america.
The Nationwide Affiliation of Black Bookstores (NAB2) launched its first State of the Black Bookstore Report together with the launch of the Nationwide Black-Owned Bookstore Listing. The report and listing provide the primary complete overview of Black-owned bookstores nationwide.
The newly launched listing identifies Black-owned bookstores throughout america, together with brick-and-mortar shops, cell bookstores, pop-up distributors, and on-line sellers. It serves as a invaluable useful resource for readers, educators, authors, publishers, and trade leaders. Collectively, the report and listing spotlight the financial and systemic challenges that Black-owned bookstores face nationwide.
The report finds that there are at present 306 Black-owned bookstores in america, making up about 8% of all unbiased bookstores nationwide. At the moment, 14 states haven’t any Black-owned bookstores, highlighting gaps in entry to Black-centered literature. Moreover, 36% of Black-owned bookstores function with no brick-and-mortar location. The report additionally reveals a big improve within the variety of Black-owned bookstores lately, regardless of ongoing challenges threatening their long-term survival. Regardless of this progress, 90% of Black-owned bookstores report annual income underneath $250,000.
“The expansion of Black-owned bookstores throughout the nation displays the energy and relevance of those establishments right this moment,” Kevin Johnson, founder and board chair of NAB2, mentioned in a press launch. “By bringing this data collectively, we’re making a basis that helps their continued presence and informs how the trade engages with them,” Johnson mentioned.
NAB2 board member Yvonne Black, proprietor of Hakim Bookstore in Philadelphia, considered one of America’s oldest Black-owned bookstores, highlights the cultural significance of the mixed report and listing.
“Black bookstores have at all times completed extra with much less,” Black mentioned in a press launch.”Now we have survived by serving our individuals, defending our tales, and holding area when few others would. This report tells the reality plainly. It honors the work that got here earlier than us whereas making clear what should change if these bookstores are going to be right here for the subsequent era.”
Go to the NAB2 web site to view the report or browse the listing.
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