April 23rd is a symbolic date in the world of literature, as it is the day Cervantes, Shakespeare, and Inca Garcilaso la Vega all died in 1616. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO, has marked this date as International Book and Copyright Day. The day was specifically designed forwith children and those with limited access to books. To celebrate, we’ve compiled a list of fantastic Black-owned bookstores in Philadelphia that you definitely need to check out.
Harriet’s Bookshop
258 East Girard Avenue
Harriet’s Bookshop is named for the historical heroine, Harriet Tubman. This bookstore celebrates women authors, artists, and activists.
You can also support this bookstore by purchasing gift cards and specialized merchandise.
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books
5445 Germantown Avenue
Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books was founded by activist and Temple University professor, Marc Lamont Hill in 2017. At Uncle Bobbie’s you can find books in a number of topics, merchandise, and an adorable cafe.
Hakim’s Bookstore
210 South 52nd Street
Hakim’s Bookstore has been operating for almost SIX decades, and is the oldest black-owned bookstore in Philadelphia. Here, you can find everything from children’s books to Philosophy or African-American history.
Black and Nobel
411 South Street
Black and Nobel sells a variety of books, health and wellness products, and other educational materials. They also offer opportunities for those looking to get more visibility for their own products, and they also ship books to prisons.
Books And Stuff
Online
Books And Stuff is run by Lynn Washington, and specializes in Afrocentric books for children. You can also find books for teens and adults centered around multiculturalism and more.
The bookstore began as a brick and mortar shop, but due to COVID, moved completely online.
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Kassidy Garland has had a great appreciation for reading and writing since she was young. She graduated from West Chester University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s Degree in English & Women and Gender Studies. With a concentration in creative writing, Kassidy has 5 years of experience writing blogs, articles, and for social media. Based out of Philadelphia, Kassidy loves to write about a number of topics and looks forward to sharing her passion with those at FunTimes Magazine.
