ATX INDIE BOOKSTORE DAY : A DAY OF CELEBRATION & COMMUNITY
Updated: May 6
Take a look inside Austin's black-owned indie bookstore, Black Pearl Books and the Black Makers Market.
The last Saturday in April marks Independent Bookstore Day, where book-lovers can support by participating in sales, events and activities. This year, Black Pearl Books hosted their own community activities alongside Black Makers Market.
Behind Black Pearl Books
“ Black Pearl Books is a black-woman-owned independent bookstore in Austin, TX. We are a family-run business whose mission is to promote - diversity, inclusion, and representation - through literature.” - www.blackpearlbooks.com
What once started as an online store back in 2019 became a thriving brick and mortar shop, catering to multi-cultural communities in Austin. BPB truly stands by their motto to promote cultural awareness with books either authored by prominent Black-American figures or tales involving Black cultural storytelling showcased on every bookshelf.
Austin's Finest Entrepreneur Scene
Alongside Black Pearl, was one of Austin's unique and niched vendor pop-ups: the The Black Makers Market. This non-profit organization has dedicated their energy towards uplifting and providing a platform for Black businesses of Greater #Austin. Hosting monthly pop-ups allows each vendor to engage and ultimately increase their visibility within local communities. BMM takes the cake of inspiration with a couple of their #creative and intuitive vendors I engaged with Saturday, Strange Hues and Folk Artist Suzette Boston.
However, there is no Black Makers Market without mentioning June & Sage Co. and Organically Bath and Beauty; two herbal and beauty brands founded by zealous women I adored connecting with. Ebony Cherelle, founder of June & Sage Co. always greets with grace and her aesthetically pleasing apothecary. Cherelle embarks on improving the health and wellbeing of Central Texas with her formulated line of #herbal #supplements, and plant-based #skincare products. This brings me to the passionate San Antonio based Kela Nabors, founder of Organically Bath and Beauty. Her mission stems from wanting to empower communities with sensitive skin to take charge of what products they use to help nourish and revitalize their skin.
Top: Kela of Organically Bath & Beauty, Bottom: Ebony of June & Sage Co.
Get Connected
There are tons more vendors apart of #BlackMakersMarket along with family-friendly events and activities that take place over at #BlackPearlBooks. So let this article be the beginning journey to connecting yourself with either of these organizations. You may be delightfully surprised by your experience.
Follow on Social Media:
Black Pearl Books - @blackpearlbooks
Black Makers Market - @blackmakersmarket
Strange Hues - @strangehues
Suzette Boston, Folk Art - @sbostonfolkartist
June & Sage Co. - @juneandsage.co
Organically Bath & Beauty - @organicallybeautyinc
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