A generous donation has secured the immediate future for Da Book Joint, a Black-family-owned bookshop in Washington Park, Chicago, Ill. Block Club Chicago reported that owners Verlean Singletary and Courtney Woods weren't sure if their bookstore would survive into 2024, but "the mother and daughter team have been buoyed by an outpouring of community love, an appearance on the Today show [along with a book donation from Scholastic] and--most recently--a donation from South Side rapper Vic Mensa that will keep the lights on for a year."
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| Vic Mensa presenting the donation to Da Book Joint. | |
Mensa presented Singletary and Woods with a $7,200 check through his cannabis line, 93 Boyz. The money will pay the bookstore's rent at the Boxville marketplace through April 2025.
"We didn't know about the donation until he came in and he talked to us," Singletary said. "I don't even think I can put into words how excited and incredibly grateful I'm feeling at this time."
With a year's rent covered, the owners said they can shift focus to expanding Da Book Joint's inventory into new genres while offering neighbors more literacy programs, and help the bookshop continue a monthly "books and brunch" initiative, where children can get catered breakfast and a book for $5, Woods added.
The store also plans to expand its lineup of kid-focused book clubs and start a Bronzeville Bucks program, which would reward local elementary school students for completing book reports with gift certificates to use at neighborhood businesses, she said.
"When he presented us the rent check, there were a lot of feelings of excitement and relief--it was definitely one of those moments where we really felt seen in our mission," Woods noted. "It really took the stress off of having [to handle] our biggest expense, which is rent.... We are able to be a lot more flexible. We have so many plans in the works, and we feel like we can definitely connect to our community a lot more by having that big bill of rent alleviated."
In an Instagram post, Mensa said, in part: "After meeting Verlean and Courtney we really felt like our values and mission were so aligned that we wanted to do something to help them come into this year with more stability. Sooooo we decided to cut a check for a year of their rent! Not to mention buy a lot of books. Next gift you buy for a friend, graduation, or just personal, consider taking a break from online shopping and pulling up to Da Book Joint."
Mensa's fans have reached out and donated to the bookstore, while online platforms have spread the word about Da Book Joint's existence. "We did receive that boost of promotion, publicity and love," Singletary said. "We're honored that is helping us continue on with everything we want to do for our community."