It has been one year since the National Association of Black Bookstores (NAB²) was founded on Juneteenth 2025. This date was chosen intentionally, grounding the organization’s mission in the legacy of Black liberation, resilience, and cultural preservation—values that have long been embodied by Black-owned bookstores.
This is something Georgia “Mother Rose” West knew well. Through her leadership at Underground Books, she created a place rooted in purpose, culture, and community. When she passed, her son Kevin Johnson carried her legacy forward, founding NAB² in her honor.
And one year in, NAB² has emerged as the leading national organization dedicated to supporting Black-owned bookstores through advocacy, education, research, economic opportunity, and community building.
This newsletter is dedicated to that year.
YEAR ONE BY THE NUMBERS
Membership & Community
187 members nationwide
Economic Impact
$1,015,250 in bookstore revenue generated through NAB²-supported initiatives
27,275 books sold through book-buy initiatives
41 author tour stops completed, with 45 additional stops scheduled
Research & Data
385 Black-owned bookstores and booksellers documented through the National Black-Owned Bookstore Directory (up from 306 at launch)
Education Professional Development
Education series launched, with the first 3 sessions earning an average rating of 9.43/10
7 bookseller scholarships awarded totaling $14,000
Advocacy & Visibility
871 million media impressions and potential media reach
13 jurisdictions recognizing National Black Bookstore Day
ONE YEAR OF IMPACT
In just one year, NAB² has advanced the visibility of Black-owned bookstores, strengthened their economic sustainability, and expanded professional resources and community connections across its national network.
A major part of this work has focused on public recognition and awareness. The launch of the State of the Black Bookstore Report provided the first data-driven national snapshot of the Black bookstore ecosystem. Alongside it, the National Black Bookstore Directory has become a widely used public resource for discovering and engaging with Black-owned bookstores nationwide, drawing more than 10,000 visits in a single day. Together, these efforts have significantly expanded awareness and recognition of Black-owned bookstores across the country.
At the same time, NAB² has worked to strengthen the long-term economic sustainability of Black-owned bookstores. Its initiatives have generated more than $1 million in bookstore revenue through coordinated book-buy campaigns and expanded access to author tours. The organization has also invested in professional development, launching its education series and awarding $14,000 in scholarships to support Black bookstores attending major industry events.
Community-building has been another key focus. NAB² grew its national membership to 187, strengthening its collective reach and advocacy power. It also launched the Black Pack Party, an in-person gathering that brings together booksellers, publishers, authors, and literary professionals—with plans to build on this momentum through additional networking opportunities, including a second Black Pack Party during Black Lit Weekend.
Taken together, these efforts reflect a year of significant momentum across visibility, economic opportunity, and community-building. In its next year, NAB² will continue to build on this work to further advance a more connected, powerful, and sustainable national ecosystem of Black-owned bookstores.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Malik Muhammad, owner of Malik Books in Los Angeles, joins our board of directors following his service on our advisory board. With 35 years in the bookselling industry, Mr. Muhammad brings deep experience, optimism, and a strong entrepreneurial mindset to the role.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
We also want to thank Maati Primm and Dr. Lucille O'Neal for their exceptional service as they transition off the board. We are grateful for their valuable contributions and lasting impact on the organization's foundation and future.
The Brother Who Stayed the Course:
Troy Johnson and the Fight for Black Literary Space
What started as an experiment with early web technology evolved into a mission: helping readers discover the richness of Black literature and history. Through books like Cane by Jean Toomer and Beloved by Toni Morrison, Johnson encountered perspectives that expanded his understanding of culture, identity, and possibility. He wanted others to have access to those same discoveries.
Today, that mission extends beyond the website itself. Johnson continues to advocate for Black bookstores, Black-owned media, and independent literary platforms at a time when algorithms and social media increasingly shape what people see—and what they miss.
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