Many people talk about the importance of the Black Church as a central institution for community-building. Fewer people honor the important role of Black bookstores. With a shared appreciation and respect for Black storytellers and writers, we are cultivating partnerships with Black bookstores in the Carolinas. We hope that you will join us on the road, subscribe to the Café Darkness writing community, and possibly win a free copy of Executive Co-Director Hall’s manuscript, Naming a Transnational Black Feminist Framework: Writing in Darkness.
Why Partner with Black Bookstores?
What we have in common with Black bookstores is a commitment to the cultivation of community-based knowledge. Similar to the Black bookstore, we put a significant amount of effort into the nurturing of Black storytellers and writers. While much of our programming is online, we appreciate the in-person work that Black bookstores around the country are doing. In this exchange, we gain clarity on the communities we are serving, allowing greater accountability. The bookstores will receive support with writing/editing services, as well as support for collaborative grants with us. We intend to build values-aligned partnerships that will strengthen our organization alongside Black bookstore partners.
Why the Carolinas?
We have selected a region where we have deep roots. The Melchor-Quick Meeting House is located in North Carolina, where Executive Co-Director Cheryl Jefferson Page currently resides. Both founder Paula Quick Hall and Executive Co-Director K. Melchor Quick Hall have spent a significant period of time living and studying in North Carolina. We look forward to serving Black communities in both North Carolina and South Carolina.