OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Marcus Books, the oldest Black-owned bookstore in the United States, has been a cultural cornerstone for over 60 years, amplifying Black voices and fostering community in the Bay Area. Founded in 1960 by Dr. Raye and Julian Richardson, Marcus Books began as a printing press in San Francisco’s Fillmore district before relocating to Oakland.
It quickly became a hub for Black Studies, the Black Panthers, and the Civil Rights Movement.
“My parents, Dr. Raye and Julian Richardson, built Marcus Books out of a love for literature and liberation,” said Blanche Richardson, General Manager of Marcus Books.
“The Panthers were here. The Black psychologists, the Black social workers—they all started by meeting here,” Richardson added.
Marcus Books has hosted notable figures such as Nikki Giovanni, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Muhammad Ali, who have visited and left their words behind.
Akaysha Calhoun, granddaughter of Blanche Richardson, reflected on the bookstore’s impact, saying, “As a child, the bookstore gave me hope. I knew I could be an artist, a doctor, a scientist, because I saw it every day.”
Cherysse Calhoun, part owner of Marcus Books, described the legacy of the bookstore as a “beautiful living space” where visitors can feel the warmth of both the present and the past.
All facts from this article were gathered by KRON4 journalists. The article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KRON4 staff.
OAKLAND, Calif. (KRON) — Marcus Books, the oldest Black-owned bookstore in the United States, has been a cultural cornerstone for over 60 years, amplifying Black voices and fostering community in the Bay Area. Founded in 1960 by Dr. Raye and Julian Richardson, Marcus Books began as a printing press in San Francisco’s Fillmore district before […]
Leave a Reply