Latasha Eley Kelly

The book released late 2025.

And around the time that I was opening in November 2024,

maybe some months in, I learned about these two books that were coming out about the history of black bookstores.

One was pros to the people and one was black owned.

And so in my mind, I just kind of assumed that because we were just opening that there's no way that we would end up in any either of them.

And I was like, man, but I was like, you know, maybe version 2.0, the next edition.

And so actually it was a customer that brought it to my attention because I had gotten the audio book

And sometimes they have inserts that they'll attach.

And so the insert had us up there.

And I literally said, oh, that was nice of them.

They like went back and did like an edited and updated version.

And then a customer had reached out to me and was like, I'm so proud of you.

And it seemed so random.

And I was like, well, thank you so much.

And then she said, you know, I see you in the book.

And that made us happy.

just super, super excited to just be listed among the ranks of some super, super powerhouse.

I like to say OG black owned bookstores that have really paved the way.

So I'm excited to dig into this one.

I also do want to do prose for the people that will likely be on next year's list.