During a press conference held at the Westin Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa., yesterday, the National Association of Black Bookstores unveiled its inaugural State of the Black Bookstore Report alongside the launch of the National Black-Owned Bookstore Directory. Together, they "document the scope and significance of Black-owned bookstores across the United States, while also examining the economic, structural, and systemic challenges many continue to face. The findings confirm both a meaningful increase in the number of Black-owned bookstores in recent years and persistent barriers that threaten long-term sustainability," NAB2 noted.
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| Kevin Johnson (l.), founder of NAB2, and Nosakhere Griffin, owner of Pittsburgh's Young Dreamers Bookstore | |
"The growth of Black-owned bookstores across the country reflects the strength and relevance of these institutions today," said Kevin Johnson, founder and board chair of NAB2. "This report establishes a clear national record of where Black bookstores are operating and how they function. By bringing this information together, we are creating a foundation that supports their continued presence and informs how the industry engages with them."
The State of the Black Bookstore Report offers new national data on bookstore locations, business models, revenue realities, and regional distribution, while elevating the voices and lived experiences of bookstore owners.
The National Black-Owned Bookstore Directory identifies Black-owned bookstores operating across the U.S, including bricks-and-mortar stores, mobile bookstores, pop-ups, and online sellers. The directory is intended to serve as a public-facing resource for readers, educators, authors, publishers, policymakers, and industry partners, while also functioning as foundational infrastructure for collective advocacy and support.
"Black bookstores have always done more with less," said Yvonne Blake, owner of Hakim's Bookstore in Philadelphia, Pa., and a member of NAB2's founding board. "We have survived by serving our people, protecting our stories, and holding space when few others would. This report tells the truth plainly. It honors the work that came before us while making clear what must change if these bookstores are going to be here for the next generation."
Among the report's key findings:
- There are currently 306 Black-owned bookstores operating in the United States, representing approximately 8% of all independent bookstores nationwide.
- Despite recent growth, 90% of Black-owned bookstores report annual revenue under $250,000, and 36% operate without a permanent bricks-and-mortar location.
- 14 states currently have no Black-owned bookstore, highlighting significant geographic gaps in access to Black literary spaces.
The report also highlights opportunities for alignment across bookstores, publishers, authors, and institutions committed to equity within the literary ecosystem. For more information, to access the report, or to explore the directory, go to www.nab2.org.