Celebrate National Black Bookstore Day on April 7! Discover and Support
NABB Declares April 7 National Black Bookstore Day The National Association of Black Bookstores (NABB), launched last summer by Kevin Johnson, owner of Underground Books in Sacramento, California, has announced that April 7 will mark the first Nation...
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NABB Declares April 7 National Black Bookstore Day
The National Association of Black Bookstores (NABB), launched last summer by Kevin Johnson, owner of Underground Books in Sacramento, California, has announced that April 7 will mark the first National Black Bookstore Day (NBBD).
According to a press release, NBBD is “a first-of-its-kind national observance honoring the cultural, economic, and community impact of Black-owned bookstores across the United States.” The day also honors the legacy of Johnson’s mother, Georgia “Mother Rose” Peat West, who founded Underground Books in 2003 and passed away in late 2024.
“National Black Bookstore Day is about more than commerce,” Johnson said. “It is a declaration that Black bookstores are essential, that they are worth celebrating, and that they are here to stay.”
NABB’s website features a comprehensive directory of Black-owned bookstores, helping readers easily discover and support these businesses across the country.
On April 7, book lovers are encouraged to visit a Black-owned bookstore, make a purchase, and share their experience on social media using #NationalBlackBookstoreDay and #NAB2 to increase visibility for Black literary spaces.
“For decades, Black bookstores have been the connective tissue in communities across the nation,” said Blanche Richardson, NABB board member and owner of Marcus Books in Oakland, California. “National Black Bookstore Day gives us a moment to make that visible on a national scale and to remind America that these spaces are not relics of the past; they are pillars of the future.”
The State of Black Bookstores
The NABB’s State of the Black Bookstore Report, released in February, highlights both the progress and ongoing challenges within the industry.
- There are currently 306 Black-owned bookstores in the United States.
- These businesses represent approximately 8% of all independent bookstores.
- 90% report annual revenue under $250,000.
- 36% operate without a permanent brick-and-mortar location.
- 14 U.S. states do not have a Black-owned independent bookstore.
National Support and Community Impact
The African American Mayors Association, representing more than 5,000 Black mayors nationwide, is partnering with NABB to support the initiative. Several communities are expected to issue official proclamations recognizing April 7 as National Black Bookstore Day.
According to NABB, proclamations are anticipated from mayors in more than 15 cities.
In celebration of the inaugural NBBD, Robert Smith, founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, is investing $570,000 in collaboration with NABB to donate 25,000 books to students at 19 HBCUs and select Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide.
“Black bookstores are community anchors where knowledge and creativity flourish, inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders,” Smith said. “Supporting National Black Bookstore Day drives concentrated buying activity that creates a holiday-style surge for these vital businesses.”
As the first National Black Bookstore Day approaches, organizers hope the initiative will spark sustained support for Black-owned bookstores, reinforcing their role as essential spaces for culture, education, and community connection.
