Brain Dump #1 - Black History Month and a Bookseller’s Responsibility
Book Around Facebook Post, Jan. 31, 2025, 4:59pm:
“Hey book besties - transparent post time:
Black History Month starts tomorrow.
I did some perusing of my shelves, searching for books by black authors that I could highlight throughout the month and celebrate their talents, and I was very, very surprised by how few I have. I find it worth noting that my store is primarily preowned (excluding indie and local works) and that if it were up to me, people would drop off more books by black authors and I would have a more diverse selection for my readers.
That said… it’s not up to me, but I can sure try! I’m taking this as an opportunity to add more diversity to my shelves. I yap about wanting to create an inclusive environment for everyone, all while having an inventory that screams exclusivity. So first, if anyone has any books by authors of color that they’d like to pass along to the next reader, please keep Book Around in mind when searching for their new homes.
Second, let’s use this post as a home for all of the book recommendations you’d give if asked for your favorite book by a black author.
Thanks for reading and for (hopefully) sticking around as I do what I can to bring some more culture to these shelves🫶🏻”
It’s now February 9th, and the folks who saw that post truly delivered. In the last week, 16 book lovers have left their recommendations in the comments (stretching my TBR list by a mile, I might add) and I’ve received over a dozen books written by Black authors in beautiful condition. They’re out in their own section receiving the attention they deserve, but I want to continue to uplift these voices after February 28th.
If you're eager to explore more Black-written books and celebrate Black history and literature beyond Black History Month like I am, here are some fantastic websites to check out:
Back when I started my consulting agency, I remember learning about social responsibility as a new business, and in many cases, it was introduced as a think to check off the list, a buzz word. “Make sure your business demonstrates social responsibility!” 3 years later and in the early stages of another business, it’s become apparent that social responsibility is so much more that a checklist item. It requires commitment and progress, dedication to the social impact that you want to make.
As booksellers, I feel that we have a responsibility to support all literature and bring attention to the lesser-known and/or under-appreciated work. That is the social impact I want to make, and while I feel confident that I’ve made strides in supporting local and self-published literature, that’s just one small segment of voices that need our help being amplified.
There have been a lot of factors contributing to my recent pull to increase and expand my support for these voices, but more on that in another Brain Dump.
Love you all <3