Black Stone Bookstore and Cultural Center

You cannot come to Ypsi and miss dropping by the Black Stone. As a university professor I can tell you that they don’t carry the same popular books you will find at a big chain store, and they don’t carry the watered down material for readers who can’t think. They carry the same writers I used in seminars at UCLA and other top universities. You will even find out-​of-​print books that are absolutely extraordinary, but have never been on the NYT best seller list. If you want to stretch your mind, buy a few books you have never heard of from the Black Stone.

Carlos is really friendly, they have a great selection of books including kids’ books, and a 30% off (I think, don’t quote me) table of books in the back. They also have soaps, lotions, and other toiletry items that are organic etc and made by black-​owned brands, which is really handy to have down the street from where I live. It’s a really friendly place and I’m so glad it’s in Ypsi.

This bookstore is THE BEST BOOKSTORE I’VE EVER BEEN TO. How can so much knowledge be in one little store? Has TONS of literature about the black race and the history of our culture. And apparently there are a lot of events held there too such as poetry readings, ect. And the costumer service is phenomenal! For instance, the main number seems to go to a fax line when no one is there (which I didn’t know at the time) but I found another number online which just so happened to be the owner’s cell phone number. I had a friend here from out of town (which the owner didn’t know) and wanted him to check out some books there. The store was closed at this time, but the owner offered to open up and he WAITED for us until we got there because I got stuck in traffic! How awesome is that! When we finally arrived, he definitely made it worth our while by showing us all the cool books he had on deck. I knew I wanted some literature but didn’t know what to get but the owner was so knowledgeable, he was able to give me tons of ideas. He even had a best of Phylis Hyman CD there that I needed to replace from like 10 years ago! Lol. And it was reasonably priced! What I really like is the owner looks like the most average, modern black man you can find anywhere. In other words, he’s not wearing a dashiki and calling you «my sister» or «my brother every other sentence (no offense intended). And the smell of incense and oils doesn’t hit you in the nose when you walk in the door. He is younger, very modern and identifiable and so is the store. I live in Royal Oak but I will make the 1 hour trip there every chance I get. :-)

I can’t believe I’m still the only review of this awesome place. Since my first visit I have been back for a free open mic sort of event where I won «Triumphant Warrior: Memoir Of A Soul Survivor Of The Wilmington Ten» by Wayne Moore and got to meet him there and he signed the book for me. How many ways can I say, «awesome!»??? I also dropped in when an event about race was taking place. There’s a lot of cool stuff going on at Black Stone Bookstore, you can find out about their events on their facebook page.