National Association Formed by Black-Owned Bookstores to Protect and Maintain Their Heritage
National Association of Black Bookstores Launched to Preserve and Strengthen Black Cultural Heritage
A new organization, the National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB2), has been officially founded and launched on August 6, 2025. The nonprofit collective aims to promote literacy, amplify Black voices, and preserve Black cultural heritage by focusing solely on the growth and preservation of Black bookstores across the country.
The NAB2's inaugural board consists of leaders from some of the country's most historic Black bookstores, including Marshall's Music and Books (Jackson, MS), Hakim's Bookstore (Philadelphia, PA), Marcus Books (Oakland, CA), and Source Booksellers (Detroit, MI). Blanche Richardson, a founding board member and owner of Marcus Books, stated that Black bookstores have served as connective tissue in communities for decades.
The NAB2's membership model includes store owners, booksellers, authors, publishers, and literary allies. The organization's goal is to strengthen the visibility and sustainability of Black bookstores, creating long-term infrastructure for their thriving. Many of these historic Black bookstores are now run by third, fourth, and even fifth generation family members, demonstrating their enduring importance in Black communities.
The NAB2's mission remains focused solely on the growth and preservation of Black bookstores. The organization is developing a national agenda rooted in equity, culture, and community commerce to ensure Black bookstores remain powerful spaces of learning, connection, and legacy. The NAB2 continues to amplify Black voices in the literary community and is a major step forward in supporting Black-owned bookstores and booksellers.
In a press release announcing its launch, the NAB2 stated that it was established to promote literacy among Black communities and to preserve the Black cultural heritage through books. The organization's commitment to institutionalizing collective action to help these important institutions thrive is evident in its efforts to support Black bookstores in their flourishing.
The NAB2 is dedicated to ensuring that Black bookstores continue to serve as cultural hubs for decades to come. As Blanche Richardson noted, "Black bookstores have been the heart and soul of our communities for generations, and it's essential that we work together to preserve and strengthen them for future generations." The NAB2 is a promising initiative that will undoubtedly make a significant impact on the literary landscape and the preservation of Black cultural heritage.
