As 2023 comes to a close, we pause a moment to reflect on 40+ years of Black Bookselling in Buffalo, New York. Our start in the 1970's was a call to fulfill a need for the community to have access to books by and about people of African descent and to dispel the myth that "Black people don't read." We are proud to say that we still stand on that principle and after multiple locations and a name change from Harambee Books Crafts to Zawadi Books we still see that as our mission.
We have continued to operate at 1382 Jefferson Avenue and vend at Juneteenth Festival, Kwanzaa, Soulful Christmas and several other community events. When space is available we have hosted book signings and author readings, promoted local authors, fulfilled orders for community organizations, and participated in writer's events, storytelling events, book clubs and conferences.
We love what we do and inspired by the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba, we believe that knowledge of self is the first step to liberation. So this is a Thank You to the Buffalo community (and those beyond Buffalo) who have supported Zawadi Books...What You Read Matters. Kenneth and Sharon Holley
Black AF History: The Un-whitewashed Story of America by Michael Harriot
Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey
Coach Prime: Deion Sanders and the Making of Men by Jean-Jacques Taylor
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store: A Novel by James McBride
Let Us Descend: A Novel by Jesmyn Ward
Lucky Me by Rich Paul
Our History Has Always Been Contraband: In Defense of Black Studies edited by Colin Kaepernick, Robin G. Kelley and Keeanga Yamahta Taylor
Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi
Something, Someday (Childrens) by Amanda Gorman
Walk Through Fire: A Memoir of Love, Loss and Triumph by Sheila Johnson
Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith
Zawadi Books also has 2023 Calendars, Christmas and Kwanzaa Cards, Kwanzaa sets and a Kwanzaa Board Game.
All of the books listed you can purchase in-store at Zawadi Books