Style & Culture

Black-Owned Bookstores You Can Shop Online

And visit on your next trip to California, Massachusetts, or any state in between. 
Sister's Uptown Bookstore 1942 Amsterdam Avenue New York NY
Alamy

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There are many ways to support the ongoing fight against racial inequality and police brutality in America: protesting, donating money to local and national organizations like the NAACP and Black Lives Matter, and calling and writing your elected officials being chief among them. Beyond these much-needed actions, it’s worth re-examining where we’re spending our money. One place you can make a difference: shopping at Black-owned independent bookstores, many of which are small businesses that were impacted by COVID-19.

Several of the bookstores below have put forth excellent reading guides, like the Consciousness Reading Book Guide from Sister's Uptown and the Dear White People list from Lit. Bar, two bookstores based in New York City; the Anti-Racist Reading Recs from Loyalty Bookstores in Washington, D.C.; and The Revolution Reading List from Elizabeth's Bookshop and Writing Centre in Akron, Ohio. Additionally, if you're looking for a new novel, nonfiction book, or memoir to read, consider spending your money at one of the bookstores below.

Many of the bookstores originally listed came from a graphic created by @Lupita_Reads and shared by Duende District, which runs pop-up bookstores for people of color, as well as lists published by Publisher’s Weekly, Libro.fm, and @Maevenn.

While by no means a comprehensive list, the bookstores noted all offer online delivery, so you can support them from wherever you are. For a more complete list of Black-owned bookstores, including ones without online operations, the African American Literature Book Club is a good resource.

On your travels, consider paying these bookstores (and these Black-owned hotels) a visit in person, whether you're headed to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Denver, Chicago, or elsewhere.

This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date. All products featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Louisiana

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Missouri

Nebraska

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Washington D.C.

Wisconsin

Online only

We will continually update this list. If you'd like to suggest a Black-owned bookstore taking online orders, please send it to madison_flager@condenast.com.