Bring a Black-Owned Bookstore to Hyde Park!

Hi everyone! My name is Courtney and I am opening a bookstore and community space, Call & Response Books, on the South Side of Chicago. My dream for several years has been to open a bookstore centering the stories of Black and other people of color, and I am thrilled to be well on my way towards making that dream a reality.

As a child growing up in the Chicago area, I was a voracious reader; I had a book in my hand more often than not, and my love of reading expanded both my mind and my worldview. Sadly, however, there were very few books that represented my own experiences as a Black child and specifically as a young Black girl. Even today, as diversity and equity initiatives have pushed for better amplification of BIPOC creatives and stories, there are many aspects of the publishing and bookselling industries that continue to entrench extant biases against Black and other writers of color.

Call & Response is a Black woman-owned bookstore that will focus on books written by Black and other people of color, amplifying stories that have historically been de-prioritized in publishing, schools, and beyond. We will sell adult, young adult, and children's literature and nonfiction addressing a wide range of topics, showcasing the breadth of talent from BIPOC communities. We will also provide coffee and tea offerings in-store. Beyond providing books and coffee, Call & Response will act as a community space, hosting events such as open mic nights, workshops, singles/friends mixers, author talks, trivia nights, story time readings, and more. These events will be held with the intent of engaging community members beyond the pages of books, fostering friendships and meaningful connections.

We are currently in the process of securing a brick-and-mortar location for the store, with the goal of opening a physical storefront by early 2024.

The funds you donate will go towards:

Thank you so much for your support!