title
A resolution honoring the 40th anniversary of Nashville’s only Black-owned bookstore Alkebu-Lan Images Bookstore and recognizing April 7, 2026, as National Black Bookstore Day in Nashville and Davidson County.
body
WHEREAS, the rich cultural heritage of the United States is deeply shaped by Black storytellers, scholars, publishers, and entrepreneurs who have preserved, published, and shared knowledge through literature and community institutions; and
WHEREAS, throughout history, African Americans have made significant contributions to the culture, economy, and social fabric of our country, and have played an integral role in shaping the independent bookstore industry; even though Black-owned bookstores represent less than 8 percent of all booksellers in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Black-owned bookstores have long served as vital institutions for education, activism, cultural expression, civic dialogue, and economic empowerment, especially during periods when mainstream institutions excluded or ignored Black voices; and
WHEREAS, since the 19th century, Black visionary entrepreneurs have established bookstores that became spaces for intellectual growth, cultural preservation, and political engagement. From the 1960s through the 1990s, Black-owned bookstores served as epicenters of community organizing, education, artistic expression, and historic preservation within African American communities nationwide; and
WHEREAS, the number of Black-owned bookstores declined significantly over recent decades-from more than 325 in 1999 to just 54 in 2014; many operating under substantial financial strain; and
WHEREAS, in recent years, renewed national attention to racial equity and community investment has contributed to a resurgence of Black-owned bookstores, with nearly 300 operating across the United States today; and
WHEREAS, the National Association of Black Bookstores has identified Tennessee’s Alkebu-Lan Images Bookstore, founded in 1986 by Yusef Harris, as the fourth-oldest continuously operating Black-owned bookstore in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Alkebu-Lan Images Bookstore has served for four decades as a cornerstone of Black cultural life in Nashville by hosting author events and community gatherings, promoting youth literacy, partnering with local schools and nonprofit organizations, supporting local writers and entrepreneurs, and contributing to the economic vitality of the Historic Jefferson Street corridor and surrounding neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS, April 1, 2026, marks the 40th anniversary of Alkebu-Lan Images Bookstore, an important milestone in Black-owned entrepreneurship and cultural preservation in Nashville and the State of Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, recognizing National Black Bookstore Day each year on April 7, 2026, provides an opportunity to honor the legacy, resilience, and ongoing contributions of Black-owned bookstores locally and nationwide.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record to honor Alkebu-Lan Images Bookstore for 40 years of entrepreneurship and expresses appreciation for its enduring contributions to the cultural, educational, and economic life of Nashville.
Section 2. That the Metropolitan Council further recognizes April 7, 2026, as National Black Bookstore Day in Nashville and Davidson County and encourages residents to celebrate and support Black-owned bookstores through patronage, partnership, and participation in the cultural and civic life they help sustain.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government requiring it.