Book

A List of Over 200 Black-Owned Bookstores in the United States

While big-box retailers and online giants make book-buying convenient, independent bookstores, especially Black-owned ones, offer something far more meaningful: a commitment to culture, diversity, and the power of storytelling.

Black-owned bookstores are more than just places to buy books. They are cultural hubs, safe spaces, and community centers that uplift marginalized voices, preserve history, and cultivate the next generation of readers and thinkers. When we support them, we’re not just buying books; we’re sustaining businesses that nurture creativity, amplify underrepresented voices, and strengthen our communities.

In an era where indie bookstores constantly fight for survival, choosing to spend our dollars at Black-owned and independent bookstores is a radical act of support. Whether shopping in person or online, making a conscious decision to support these bookstores helps ensure their longevity. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of Black-owned bookstores across the United States. Buy from them when you can. It matters.

Note: we tried to make this as comprehensive as possible but we probably missed some stores that fall in this category. If you’re a Black bookstore owner and you’d like to be included here, email us at books at aweluv dot com to be included.


Online Only | Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Washington D.C | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming 

Black-Owned Bookstores by State

Black-owned bookstores in US

Online Only

Alabama (AL)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Alaska (AK)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Arizona (AZ)

Arkansas (AR)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

California (CA)

Colorado (CO)

Connecticut (CT)

Delaware (DE)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

District of Columbia (DC)

Florida (FL)

Georgia (GA)

Hawaii (HI)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Idaho (ID)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Illinois (IL)

Indiana (IN)

Iowa (IA)

Kansas (KS)

Kentucky (KY)

Louisiana (LA)

Maine (ME)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Maryland (MD)

Massachusetts (MA)

Michigan (MI)

Minnesota (MN)

Mississippi (MS)

Missouri (MO)

Montana (MT)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Nebraska (NE)

Nevada (NV)

New Hampshire (NH)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

New Jersey (NJ)

New Mexico (NM)

New York (NY)

North Carolina (NC)

North Dakota (ND)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Ohio (OH)

Oklahoma (OK)

Oregon (OR)

Pennsylvania (PA)

Rhode Island (RI)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

South Carolina (SC)

South Dakota (SD)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Tennessee (TN)

Texas (TX)

Utah (UT)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Vermont (VT)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores there)

Virginia (VA)

Washington (WA)

West Virginia (WV)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores)

Wisconsin (WI)

Wyoming (WY)

(Couldn’t find Black-owned bookstores)

Sooo yeah, I hope you patronize these stores, I hope authors partner with them and give them love!

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