Marcus Books in Oakland, Calif., the oldest independent black bookstore in the country, has met and exceeded its $200,000 fundraising goal. The GoFundMe campaign was launched in April to help Marcus Books stay afloat so the store could reopen "with confidence and security once it is safe to do so." Founded in 1960, Marcus Books is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, and is owned and operated by Karen Johnson, Blanche Richardson and Billy Richardson, children of founders Dr. Raye Richardson and Dr. Julian Richardson.
"It’s freeing us from robbing Peter to pay Paul," Blanche Richardson told the Chronicle, which noted that donations have skyrocketed as protests and demonstrations across the country demand justice for George Floyd. The store has also received national media attention during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"It’s overwhelming," Richardson added. "Because we are 60 years old, this is not our first movement, but this one feels a lot different. I'd say 70% of orders coming in from all over the country are from white people looking for books on how to deal with racism."