Nappy Roots Books in Oklahoma City, Okla., which has been able to pay back rent and avoid eviction thanks to an outpouring of community support after owner Camille Landry recently asked her customers for help, received more good news this week. KOKH reported that True Sky Credit Union donated two months worth of rent and other business expenses.
"We're incredibly grateful to learn that somebody was going to fund basically a couple of months of operating expenses," said Landry. "It guarantees that the doors stays open and we can continue to deliver service."
Jon Skelly, v-p of marketing and community development for the credit union, which is opening up a new branch at 50th & MLK in the coming months, said the company wanted to be a good neighbor by helping: "It was certainly an opportunity that was important. It's in a community where we're becoming neighbors. It was really at that point of just working out the details of how we can help and exactly what we could do. This is such an establishment in the community and the work they're doing is amazing."
Landry had also suggested they team up to spread awareness of the importance of literature and Black History Month. "She had the idea for us to go ahead and buy some books," said Skelly. "Those books will be given away through the bookstore during this annual observance."
Landry added: "This is why black bookstores are so important for the community. "Literature is great across the board but literature that reflects you, the way you live, who you are is absolutely critical."