The National Association of Black Bookstores (NABB), which was launched last summer by Kevin Johnson, the owner of Underground Books in Sacramento, Calif., has declared April 7 to be the inaugural National Black Bookstore Day (NBBD).

In a release, NABB described NBBD as “a first-of-its-kind national observance honoring the cultural, economic, and community impact of Black-owned bookstores across the United States.” The day also celebrates the legacy of Johnson’s mother, Georgia “Mother Rose” Peat West, who founded Underground Books in 2003 and died in late 2024.

“National Black Bookstore Day is about more than commerce,” Johnson said. “It is a declaration that Black bookstores are essential, that they are worth celebrating, and that they are here to stay.”

The NABB's website features a comprehensive list of these bookstores.

On April 7, book lovers are encouraged to visit a Black-owned bookstore and, NABB suggests, “make a purchase, share their experience on social media using #NationalBlackBookstoreDay and #NAB2, and help amplify the visibility of Black literary spaces in their communities.”

“For decades, Black bookstores have been the connective tissue in communities across the nation,” said Blanche Richardson, NABB board member and owner of Marcus Books in Oakland, Calif., in a statement. “National Black Bookstore Day gives us a moment to make that visible on a national scale and to remind America that these spaces are not relics of the past, they are pillars of the future.”

According to the NABB’s State of the Black Bookstore Report, which was released in February, there currently are 306 Black-owned bookstores in the U.S., representing approximately 8% of all indie bookstores; 90% of those stores report annual revenue under $250,000, and 36% operate without a permanent, brick-and-mortar location. Currently, 14 U.S. states lack a Black-owned indie.

The African American Mayors Association, which represents more than 500 Black mayors across the country, is partnering with NABB, and a number of communities intend to issue proclamations officially recognizing April 7 as Black Bookstore Day. According to NABB, proclamations are being issued by mayors in more than 15 cities.

In honor of the inaugural NBBD, Robert Smith, the founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners is investing $570,000 to partner with NABB in donating 19,000 books to students at 19 HBCUs.

“Black bookstores are community anchors where knowledge and creativity flourish, inspiring the next generation of innovators and leaders.” Smith said. “Supporting National Black Bookstore Day drives concentrated buying activity that creates a holiday-style surge for these vital businesses.”

This story has been updated.