New Orleans Memory

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page"- Saint Augustine of Hippo

It was my first time in New Orleans and I was eager to see the Big Easy for myself... and especially it's many bookstores.

Yes, yes- I know that's likely not on top of mind for ever tourist, but I have been involved in bookselling most of my life, and was there as part of a National conference of booksellers.

Eagerly I climbed onto the bus and started an afternoon of hot, muggy, and bewildering side-street, moss, music, and, especially: books, booksellers, and bookstores.

One of the first stores we visited was Community Book Center, located on one of the oldest streets in the city. It is indeed a bookstore and then ever so much more. It is a cultural and literary hub that specializes in books, educational materials, arts, and gifts by and about people of African descent.

I took many many photos that day. The walls had handmade cards from the students that visited the store to hear authors and story time. There were photos of smiling faces that had received books through community outreach.

Special artwork was everywhere. Painting, pottery, photography, jewelry, t-shirts: all from local artists or fair trade sources. The scent of the store was rich with spices and flavors from candles and soaps.

At least two event spaces are available at Community Book Center. The largest is surrounded by stair-stepped seats and would be as suitable for a drum circle, as an author's book launch.

The light from the big windows fill the front of the store and highlight the bolts of fabric adjacent to the shelf after shelf of children's books. Standing there and taking it in I could see in my mind's eye the weekly sewing circle sitting in that circle as their children delighted in books filled with the faces of children of every skin tone.

The Family

More than just the impact the store had on me, the family that owns it are unforgettable. For over 40 years they have been part of the heartbeat of the neighborhood, but their reach spreads far and wide. Owner and founder Vera Williams' has passion to show and teach the true history and contributions people of African descent have made to the world civilization. She uses her Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Arts in Museum Studies to curate a book and culture collection that is as deep as it is wide.

Vera Williams and her family were there to greet us, explaining the importance of the Center within the community, the deliberation used in choosing the inventory, and how each person contributed to keeping it running.

She shared what was, to me, an essential decision: they owned the store and the land on which it is built. Far too many independent bookstores are crippled by rising rent and/or indifferent landlords. What a blessing that they aren't hampered by those issues as they continue their work and keep their eye on their mission to:

“highlight the contributions African people throughout the diaspora have made to world civilization; debunking the myth that our history began with slavery.”

The Photo

Of the many memories and photos opportunities that day, one in particular resulted in the photo that defined my NOLA experience more than any other... and I almost missed it.

On the way back to the bus I looked over my shoulder to take in the mural on the side of the building; a child receiving a book labeled Ujamaa, which means 'familyhood' and the sharing of work and wealth within the family and community. The Community Book Center is a testament to that principle.

But, it was the small letters that I couldn't quite make out that caught my attention. They are painted just under the utility boxes and I was curious: would it be the name of the artist?

Making my way over I stood in front of those meters just as the sun shifted and lit the brilliant teal-painted wall...and THAT is my favorite photo from New Orleans. A reminder of community, of nurturing a vision, of supporting those around you in whatever way you can.

Thank you, Community Book Center, for the reminder that many times the decision to #ShopSmall has a BIG impact.

~~~

I urge you to take the side roads and back roads whenever you travel, and to include those small indie bookstores and comic shops, antiquarian and used bookstores in your time about town.

Even if you don't travel, or lack a local bookstore, when you buy online please consider using Bookshop.org. They distribute a portion of each sale to independent bookstores. That way you can #shopsmall even from your favorite reading chair.

This is one of the books a young girl might see on the shelves of Community Book Center, available at bookshop.org using my affiliate link: