Raye Gilbert Richardson, founder of Marcus Books, "the oldest black bookstore in the nation," died February 11, the Oakland Post reported. She was 99. As a teenager, Richardson attended Tuskegee Institute, where she met her future husband, Julian. They were married for 60 years (he died in 2000) and moved to San Francisco in 1946.
Julian Richardson started Success Printing Co. in the Fillmore District, and together they founded the Success Book Co. in 1960, which they would subsequently rename Marcus Books in honor of Marcus Garvey. About two decades later, they opened a second shop in Oakland. In recent years, Marcus Books closed its San Francisco store, but the Oakland store continues in operation.
For decades, Raye Gilbert Richardson served as the chair of the Black Studies Department at San Francisco State University and is the first professor emerita to be retired from the SFSU's Black Studies Department. She was appointed to various positions/commissions by four San Francisco mayors and two California governors, including the San Francisco Library Commission and the California State Board of Medical Quality Assurance. She was also a columnist for the Sun Reporter and a regular commentator on the popular Ray Taliaferro radio show. During her years of activism and leadership, Raye received hundreds of awards from community groups, political institutions and the media.
"Known for her brilliant intelligence, her profound and eclectic knowledge, her critical thinking, her humor and wit, her untiring activism, her compassion and love of Black people, Dr. Raye impacted the lives of all who were fortunate enough to share in her life," the Post's obituary noted, adding: "A public memorial is planned and the date is TBA. Raye's wishes were that her legacy of Marcus Books be supported in lieu of flowers."