Black Book Stores Continue to Enhance the Literary Landscape in Chicago

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For decades, Black-owned bookstores have enhanced African-American communities by providing a space for literature lovers to get our fix and expand our knowledge base. Offering programs of enrichment; giving local and national authors of color a venue to read their works; tell their unique stories; and foster important conversations around issues of interest to the Black community.

Some years ago, when African American Images Bookstore on 95th existed as a brick and mortar establishment, it was a popular hang-out for writers, poets, teachers and those of us seeking to connect for intellectual and social purposes. It wasn’t unusual for patrons to bond over poetry readings, fun contests, book club chats, and personal development workshops.

Additionally, venues like this were a great place to purchase hard-to-find African American artwork, home décor, board games and historical pieces.

RICHNESS THROUGH READING AND REACHING

According to Diversebooks.org: “Black book stores have been an important pillar of Black communities for decades. Civil Rights leaders and SNCC students strategized, and organized, in various Black bookstores across the country. Most Black people who grew up in the Baptist church will recall browsing books in some version of a church bookshop, as church women floated nearby in elaborate hats. And Black bookstores have served as the gathering place for many open mic nights, Black History programs, spelling bees, and other community togetherness activities that have strengthened and empowered Black communities. These feelings are what cannot be duplicated or replicated, and there is no corporate comparison.”

Bloomberg.com further shares the following: “Black owned bookstores have served as keepers of Black culture and community hubs where authors and activists exchange ideas. That’s kept them alive, despite online behemoth Amazon’s dominance in the bookselling market. There are about 120 Black-owned bookstores in the U.S. today, according to the African American Literature Book Club, compared with 54 in 2014 and about 200 in the mid-1990s. They comprise about eight percent of the 2,524 independent bookstores overall.”

BLACK BOOKSTORES WORTH A VISIT

BOOKIE’S ON 103RD AND WESTERN

In addition to a broad selection of interesting reads they have a trade-in program for gently used books in good condition.

HERE’S THEIR POLICY , (AS PER THEIR WEBSITE)

If you have books in good condition, that you’re willing to part with, find them a new home here. “Our trade for credit program gets you in-store credit that can be used on anything in our store.

How it works:

Bring in gently-loved books --- 12 MAXIMUM at one time. If you would like to bring in more than 12, please contact us about setting up an appointment.

You earn 10% of our used sale price in credit for books we accept. Earn up to 20% by trading in books from the Indie Bestseller list.

Books that we don’t accept must go back home with you.”

They also have positions open for employment.

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SEMI-COLON BOOKSTORE

Located at 515 N. Halsted, Semi-colon is a Black woman-owned bookstore and art gallery.

They state as part of their mission: “We are committed to having a direct impact in raising literacy rates in Chicago and beyond. To initiate this change, we invite CPS students to the store every month to #ClearTheShelves. Free of charge, students can take home whatever books they’d like. Investing in our youth, one book at a time.” For more info, visit their site here:

https://www.semicolonchi.com/

Final Thought

With many places in Chicago now re-opening or re-structuring, phone first for hours of operation and Covid-related policies.

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