What is your fondest memory of your early days as a bookstore owner?

I have lots of fond memories like the day Earth, Wind & Fire walked in; but honestly, after much work to turn the Oakland store around - it was that first day that the store made over $500.00!

What are you reading these days?

I’m reading three books right now - a book for every mood!

S.A. Cosby’s King of Ashes. Lovin’ it! Homegirl, Leila Motley’s The Girls Who Grew Big. Masterful character development and a true-to-life narrative. Hard to believe Leila is only in her early 20s! We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance, by Kellie Carter Jackson. It’s that rare thing - a non-fiction page turner! It didn’t hurt that the cover is graced by a beautiful Black woman holding a shotgun!

What used to keep you up at night - but doesn’t anymore?

Disgruntled complaining customers! I had a desire for EVERY customer to have a perfect experience, so getting a complaint (sometimes presented in a rude and mean-spirited manner) kept me up at night going over the confrontation alone in my head (as Iyanla Vanzant says) without adult supervision. But it’s really true that you can’t please all of the people all of the time. In fact, some folks don’t care about you apologizing. Misery truly does love company and there are people who just want to make you feel as bad as they do! Those are the ones that used to keep me up; but no more. All you can do is the best you can do, then go home and get a good night’s rest.

What would a thriving future for Black booksellers include?

Among other things, it would include the respect and support of their communities, and for Black people to realize the essential importance of having their own repository of knowledge and truth about themselves. Also on the list would be financial security, as well as the ability to positively impact the power, strength and unity of their communities.