The National Association of Black Bookstores is launching a monthly education series designed to support, strengthen, and scale Black-owned bookstores.
Each session brings together experienced practitioners and industry leaders to share practical, real-world guidance across key areas of bookstore operations, growth, and sustainability. Sessions are designed to be actionable, relevant across a range of business models, and immediately useful.
All trainings are free, and bookstores are welcome to invite unlimited members of their team. Pre-registration is required.
UPCOMING SESSIONS
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Bound by Brand: Crafting the Perfect Bookstore Identity
Tuesday, August 18 at 9:00 PT / 12:00 ET
What impression does your bookstore make on a first visit? This webinar explores how to shape a compelling presence through strong visuals and clear messaging—both in-store and online. Melissa Corcoran, Senior Creative Design Manager at the American Booksellers Association, in conversation with Carolann Duro, founder of Quiet Quail Books, will deliver practical, actionable steps to sharpen your brand, unify your platforms, and drive book sales.
Presenters: Melissa Corcoran, Senior Creative Design Manager at the American Booksellers Association; Carolann Duro, founder of Quiet Quail Books
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Peak Sales Preparation
Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 11:00 PT / 2:00 ET
What is the best way to get ready for your busy season? This panel of experienced booksellers share best practices for their biggest sales of the year - and it might not be over the holidays! From your online presence to in-store operations and personnel to parties, you’ll leave with a helpful list of resources and action steps for making the most of this critical sales period.
Presenters: David Landry, co-owner CLASS Bookstore; Tamika Thompson, owner Beyond This February; and Courtney Woods, Da Book Joint
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How to Work with a Variety of Vendors
Monday, October 19 at 9:00 PT / 12:00 ET
With thousands of book vendors to choose from, how do the best book buyers balance the efficiency of wholesalers with the increased discount and diversity provided by publishers? This webinar will delve into vocabulary like EDI, co-op, turns, frontlist and re-stock ordering. It will also provide a matrix of information and specialized bookseller lists to help black-owned bookstores maximize their relationships with book vendors.
Presenters: Troy Johnson, founder, African American Literature Book Club; Malik Muhammad, co-owner, Malik Books; Zsame Morgan, owner, Babycake’s Book Stack
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Cultivating Customer Loyalty through Communication
Thursday, November 5 at 10:00 PT / 1:00 ET
What types of communication work best for acquiring new customers and maintaining those who already love your bookstore? This session will provide data about the reading public, as well as best practices for analog publicity (word of mouth, personal connections, catalogs, and clubs), loyalty programs, and email marketing for independent bookstores.
Presenters: Diedre Dumpson, Edelweiss 360; Demetrius Frazier, Resist Booksellers
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Intro to Bookstore Finances
Tuesday, December 8 12:00 PT / 3:00 ET
The path to profitability is paved with debits and credits. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the thought of even getting started on wrangling your future bookstore’s finances, Candice Huber, Dean of Bookstore Finances for the Professional Booksellers School, will show you the way. We'll introduce you to the basic business model for independent bookstores, giving you confidence to begin, keep at it, and improve. This session will be inclusive of a variety of business models and is created by the Professional Booksellers School.
Presenter: Candice Huber, Dean of Bookstore Finances for the Professional Booksellers School and owner of Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Book Shop
Education Archive
The recordings of the first two NAB² education series sessions are now available.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
All sessions are free of charge
Unlimited team members from each bookstore may attend
Pre-registration is required
Calendar invites and access details will be generally be shared within two business days of registration