Books have always been my refuge. When depression cast its longest shadows, reading let me step into worlds brighter than my own. Yet page after page, shelf after shelf, I almost never saw a face that looked like mine—a passing mention here, a silhouette there, but never the deep, resonant representation I craved. Over time the joy faded, and I put books aside.
That changed in 2020. After brunch with my fiancé at First Watch, a Barnes & Noble next door lured us in. As I wandered the aisles, a burst of color stopped me cold: covers filled with Black characters, Black stories—Black life. I piled ten books into my arms, giddy with a feeling I hadn’t felt in years: recognition. From that day on, every bookstore visit became a treasure hunt for works by Black authors.
Fast‑forward to Halloween 2023. While chatting with my husband’s family, my brother‑in‑law said, almost off‑handedly, “You love books so much—why not open a bookstore?” The idea felt wild and thrilling, but life moved on. Then, in April 2025, my husband revisited the dream—this time as an online shop we could launch immediately instead of “someday.”
And so The Ebony Shelf was born: a Black‑owned, online bookstore devoted exclusively to Black authors. No more scavenger hunts through endless shelves. Here, Black creativity takes center stage, and the only challenge is choosing which brilliant Black author to read next.
Welcome to The Ebony Shelf—where every story lets you see yourself. I hope you find your next favorite book here, just like I did.
