August is Black-Owned Businesses month! Despite large gains in visibility the last few years, the Black community is still largely underrepresented in the literary world. While we create moodboards about our dream book nooks, secret libraries, and general bookish paradises, the material we’re often given looks the same and comes from the same sources. Even our wildest book fantasies can lack diversity sometimes.
That’s why we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to highlight some fantastic Black businesses that sell all the bookish necessities! From coffee to bookmarks, these stores have everything you need for that perfect vibe for you and your next read. Let’s get into it!
1. Candles – Vibes By Lo
What kind of bookish hideaway doesn’t have candles? We need to set the vibe! Based in Florida, this cute Etsy store opened in 2021 and is filled with not only a great selection of scents but also funky artwork. Not a fan of the smoke from candles? Their scents come in wax, sprays, and even reed diffusers! This Sippin’ Tea Candle sounds like the perfect match for a bookish rainy day.
2. Blankets – Nubian Radiance
You can’t cozy up with a good book if you don’t have a cozy blanket to go with it! Nubian Radiance is a Black-owned and woman-owned attire business focused on accessories. They have jewelry, hats, bags…and best of all, blankets! They’re based on the wrap-around cloaks of the Maasai tribe of East Africa, so not only are they super comfy, they’re wearable too for peak lazy-day style!
3. Coffee – Bad Beans Coffee
Of course, we need a warm drink to accompany us on any bookish endeavor. What better choice than coffee? Bad Beans Coffee is a Black-owned business committed to fair trade and organic ingredients. With a large variety of coffee to choose from, there’s something for everyone’s taste. They even have a sample pack option if you can’t decide on one. Don’t like coffee? No worries! They also have a great selection of tea.
4. Bookmarks – Urban Vibe Chic
We can never say no to a cute bookmark! Urban Vibe Chic is a store with a wide selection of accessories to choose from, but they also offer adorable bookmarks. With a variety of styles, you can choose from cutesy pink, inspirational, or even a Legendborn theme! There’s no shortage of Black Girl Magic here, so make sure to check them out and scoop up a new bookmark for your collection!
5. Books – Black Garnet Books
And now for the star of any bookish paradise…books! You didn’t think we would forget the most important part, did you? Black Garnet Books is a Black-owned bookshop in St. Paul, Minnesota, that deserves all the love it gets! The store focuses on stocking its shelves with works created by authors and illustrators of color. They have an online store with e-book availability, and they even have a Bookshop storefront! Next time you’re looking for a new read, check out Black Garnet Books!
Final Thoughts
While August is dedicated to Black-owned businesses, it’s essential to support these stores throughout the year. As more discussions of “DEI” lead to significant barriers surrounding various businesses, it’s up to us to take a stand and support the creators in our communities. Let them know they are top priority! Now that you know about these phenomenal businesses, your bookish paradise goals are finally that much closer to becoming a reality. Enjoy!
If you would like to find more Black-owned businesses, check out this article!
If you’re looking for more Black voices in literature, don’t miss our Bookshelf on Bookshop.org!
