Houston bookstore now a hotspot for black celebrity authors

Houston’s Kindred Stories bookstore has change into a place where well-known black authors come to share their work with a diverse audience.

Located within the Third Ward neighborhood, this small but mighty bookstore is growing basic element locally. Readers can drop by to browse the most recent offerings from the black-owned business, in addition to watch readings and Q&As with black celebrities about their literary endeavors.

According to Kindred Stories owner Terri Hamm, opened her storefront in September 2021. She expanded her online platform through Project Row Houses’ incubation program. The program helped Hamm scale her early-stage business, equivalent to providing a space to achieve this.

Regarding the event of events and marketing, the shop management confirms that that is the results of a strategic approach.

“We often pitch these events to their publishers for their books because it’s always centered around their work, right? We’re not just booking random celebrities. We’re booking the literature that they’re creating,” explained store manager Chaneka Williams.

The bookstore has already hosted insecure actor Jay Ellis, who recently released his memoir, “Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?: Adventures in Boyhood.” Next up for Kindred Stories will likely be media personality Rickey Smiley and multi-talented artist 50 Cent, who will likely be presenting their memoir and crime novel, respectively.

But it takes a village to make these events occur. Luckily, Kindred Stories has built relationships with local and bigger Houston institutions to host these celebrated authors.

Williams added: “When we think about localization, of course we think about what type of audience they’re going to attract. But I think our community partnerships are at the forefront.”

Kindred Stories isn’t the one black-owned and operated bookstore on the town. Other stops in the world cater to a variety of shoppers, from comic book enthusiasts to Texas Southern University students. But Hamm doesn’t see the opposite businesses as competition, but as a sign that different stores are growing and thriving.

In addition, the bookstore doesn’t just host famous authors. They plan to ask other novelists, poets, and speakers into their spaces, continuing to serve the community.

Hamm emphasized, “We all serve different customers because black people are not a monolith, and Kindred Stories is not for everyone, right? And we don’t have everything. So it’s great that people have options. And I think black people deserve all options.”