Black women bookstore owners gather at The Lit Bar to celebrate their inaugural bookstore crawl - Bronx Times

""It's more important than ever that we keep our businesses alive and that we preserve community and we preserve the cultures as much as we can, with the world being the dumpster fire going on around us. And I'm honored to be one of the vessels seated in the Bronx.""

""I still work a full-time job, 10-6, so I oversee arts education programs in a lot of public schools and running from there to come scrub bricks until one or two in the morning. I wish I had set myself up knowing [to] pace yourself, find the pockets to have rest because it's going to be a long haul, not just a sprint.""

""I've always wanted a bookshop. I've always wanted to be around books. I don't know if you know about dreams.""

Black women bookstore owners gathered in Mott Haven for a panel discussion concluding their inaugural bookstore crawl featuring 10 Black women-owned bookstores. The event highlighted community and care, showcasing how these literary spaces foster relationships. Noëlle Brown emphasized the importance of preserving culture amidst societal challenges. Each owner shared their experiences, including the challenges of running a bookstore while maintaining self-care. The Little Bookshop, run by a mother-daughter duo, exemplified the hard work and dedication required in the industry, with insights on pacing oneself for long-term success.

Read at Bronx Times