 Supporting Chicago Black businesses is dedicating yourself to a mission; it is the act of building community capital and self‑determination in real time. When we decide where to buy gas, groceries, books, shea butter or to get an oil change, we are deciding which doors in our community stay open and which ones may quietly close. Why Our Dollars MatterIn Black Economics: Solutions for Economic and Community Empowerment, Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu challenges us to look closely at how we earn, spend, and circulate our money as a people. He notes that the vast majority of Black‑owned businesses are supported primarily by Black customers, which means we are the bedrock that keeps these enterprises alive.  At the same time, national data show that roughly 50% of small businesses close within their first five years. Other reporting paints an even harsher picture for us, estimating that about 8 out of 10 Black‑owned businesses can fail within the first 18 months when structural barriers and lack of capital are added to the mix. Those aren’t just numbers; they represent dreams deferred, jobs lost, and community gathering spaces that never get a chance to become institutions From Lecture Hall To Local Checkout LineAt our recent event held at the Maze branch of the OPPL with Dr. Anthony Browder, author of his latest, "The Browder Perspective," several attendees asked for a list of the Black‑owned businesses mentioned during his book signing. That moment said a lot: people weren’t just inspired by the information; they wanted directions for where to spend, bank, and donate after they left the room. In a city like Chicago and its surrounding suburbs—where Black entrepreneurs have built everything from bookstores to banks—shopping Black is one of the most immediate ways to align our values with our daily routines. What started as a short list from one gathering has grown into a living guide that touches food, books and culture, transportation, and financial institutions. These areas are what Dr. Kunjufu highlights as making the biggest impact on recirculating our dollars. Starting with Food, Clothing, Shelter, Housing and Transportation, this is where the biggest chunk of our dollars are transferred to each month. How To Use This GuideThis directory is not exhaustive, but it is a starting point. You might:
Begin Here: Chicago-Area Black-Owned Bookstores and BanksWhat began as a simple request during a Browder event has grown into a broader guide that touches how we eat, read, dress, travel, and bank. This list will keep evolving as we hear from more community members about the businesses that sustain them. Here are a few ways you can participate:
More Suggestions?Begin here, then keep going: seek out, shop with, and speak up for Black-owned businesses in your community. Read Black. Bank Black. Buy Black.
 Independent Bookstore Day is turning Chicagoland into a book lovers' haven on Saturday, April 25, 2026—and this year, the crawl comes with a special opportunity to connect with Afriware Books, Co right in Oak Park at the Oak Park Public Library (Main Branch), 834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301. What Is Independent Bookstore Day?Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national celebration of indie bookstores across all fifty states, bringing together more than 2,000 shops for exclusive books, literary swag, in-store festivities, and community-focused events on the last Saturday in April. On April 25, 2026, bookstores across the Chicago area will once again join the Chicagoland Bookstore Crawl, inviting readers to “bookstore-hop” their way through the city and suburbs, collecting passport stamps, discovering new favorites, and supporting local businesses with every stop. The Chicagoland Bookstore CrawlThe Chicagoland crawl is designed to make bookstore tourism an adventure, encouraging readers to visit 10 or more participating shops in a single day, from Lake Forest to Beverly, Libertyville to the Loop, and beyond. Many stores will offer their own mix of author events, story times, merchandise, giveaways, and special sales, making each stop feel like a mini literary festival and a celebration of the neighborhoods that sustain these spaces. Afriware Books, Co at Oak Park LibraryAs part of this year’s celebration, Afriware Books, Co will be holding a pop-up presence at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, IL from 1:30 pm–4:00 pm, giving readers a perfect mid-day anchor stop during their crawl. This appearance extends Afriware’s long-standing role as a hub for African and African American literature, culture, and history, bringing curated titles and community-centered conversation into a beloved public space right along the Green Line and several bus routes—ideal for crawl participants navigating without a car. Owner, Nzingha Nommo says, "We're happy to be able to participate in this unique fashion. While our pickup location is also in Oak Park, we decided it is better to utilize the larger space at the Library to hold what's sure to be a healthy crowd. This year in particular is a time to gather up those classic cultural works whose presence is being challenged in libraries, classrooms and beyond. We're proud to carry these titles through thick and thin." Why This Stop MattersAfriware’s pop-up at the library is more than a table of books; it is a chance to discover stories that center Black voices, independent presses, and intergenerational conversations within a shared civic space. For families, educators, and readers building more inclusive bookshelves, this stop offers a focused selection of children’s books, YA titles, and adult reads you might not easily find on big-box shelves, all while directly supporting a Black-owned business in the western suburbs. Planning Your Day Around Oak ParkIf you are mapping out your crawl, consider using Oak Park as a midpoint: start your morning at a city bookstore or two, head out on the train to catch Afriware at the library between 1:30 pm and 4:00 pm, then continue on to other west suburban or city shops in the late afternoon. Be sure to get your Chicagoland crawl passport stamped wherever it is offered, keep an eye out for Independent Bookstore Day exclusives, and leave space in your bag—Afriware’s selection alone may expand your TBR pile in the best possible way. How to Join InTo participate, simply pick a starting store on April 25, 2026, grab a crawl passport if available, and follow your curiosity (and your transit card) from bookstore to bookstore. Along the way, make the Afriware Books, Co pop-up at Oak Park Public Library a non-negotiable stop: it is a powerful reminder that independent bookstores are not just shops, but community archives, gathering spaces, and launchpads for new ideas—especially when they show up right where the community already comes together Final ThoughtsWant to dive deeper? Visit our website to explore these banned books and more. Discover the real stories behind the movement and empower yourself with knowledge!
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AFRIWARE BOOKS CO. A COMMUNITY BOOKSTORE SERVING:
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AFRIWARE BOOKS, CO,
BY APPT ONLY 137 N. Oak Park Ave Suite 207 OAK PARK, IL 60301 708-223-8081 ONLINE SUPPORT: Thurs-Fri. 4-6pm Sat. 12-2pm, IN PERSON EVENTS: afriwarebooks.com/events |
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