3 Amazing Black-Owned Bookstores in Philadelphia to Shop From

African Americans are the second-largest ethnic minority in the USA. The transatlantic slave trade and slavery are dark chapters in American history. African Americans have put a lot of sweat, blood, and tears into abolishing slavery and achieving racial equality in every sense of the word.

African Americans have a fascinating history. There is a lot to learn from Civil Rights Movement and the struggle to achieve equal rights and end racial discrimination. Books are the most credible source of authentic information. As a book enthusiast, it is our moral duty to support black-owned independent bookstores. 

In this article, we have listed a few amazing black-owned bookstores in Philadelphia. Visit these bookstores to support the black community and help these businesses thrive. 

Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books -  5445 Germantown Ave.

  • Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books is a bookstore with a vast collection of print books, audiobooks, and cool merchandise. It also serves delicious coffee and tasty snacks. In 2017, Marc Lamont Hill opened this Bookstore to deliver a homely experience to book enthusiasts. Marc Lamont is a literary activist and a professor at Temple University, Philadelphia. 

Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books features several books about HBCUs authored by Historically Black Colleges and Universities alumni. A large portion of the Bookstore is dedicated to African American literature. Uncle Bobbie's Coffee & Books regularly hosts knowledge-sharing events, and author talks to promote an exchange of literary views and educate the community. 

  • At Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books, you will also find cool merchandise to help you make a statement. We are positive you will enjoy visiting Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee & Books.

Harriett's Bookshop - 258 E. Girard Ave.

  • Harriet’s Bookshop is a female-owned bookstore that celebrates and promotes women authors, artists, and activists. The Bookstore is named after Harriet Tubman - the American abolitionist and social activist. It was founded by Jeaniene Cook, a renowned writer and educationist. 

Harriet’s Bookshop has an especially curated list of books from different literary genres. It highlights the work of Black female authors and the contributions of female activists in achieving racial and gender equality. 

  • Jeaniene Cook aims to continue her struggle for space, sovereignty, and agency through this Bookstore. Ida’s Bookshop is the sister bookshop of Harriet’s. Both share the identical ideology of celebrating and promoting black women. 

Hakim's Bookstore & Gift Shop - 210 S. 52nd St.

  • In the late 1950s, Dawud Hakim opened Hakim’s Bookstore, the first African American Bookstore in Philadelphia, East Coast. Dawud Hakim was a renowned Black scholar, lecturer, and publisher. The Bookshop played a pivotal role during the Civil Rights Movement and served as an authentic source of information and encouragement. Hakim’s Bookstore is the longest-operating Black-owned Bookshop, which has been going strong ever since. 

It is considered one of the best places for Afrocentric literature, gifts, and discourse. The bookshelves are decorated with a variety of books. However, it specializes in African American history and education. Dawud Hakim’s vision was to make African American literature more accessible to the Black community, so they would learn about their history and cultural identity and be proud of it. 

  • Hakim’s Bookstore has a homely vibe that puts bibliophiles at ease at once. The thoughtfully curated children’s section offers a variety of interesting reads, such as Afrofuturistic comics, biographies, historical fiction, and non-fiction. 

Hakim’s Bookstore held its ground against all odds and has served the Black community for over 60 years. It deserves our love and support, so plan a trip to Hakim’s Bookstore at your earliest convenience. 

At Row House Publishing, we do our best to support Black-owned independent businesses. We aim to make books more accessible for all echelons of society. Our mission is to provide an equitable and transparent platform to publish books in the spaces of wellness, community, health, psychology, memoir, politics, spirituality, children's literature, parenting, business, LGBTQIA+, and other genres.

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3 Black-owned Bookstores You Must Support Today

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