Diversity & Inclusion at ABA

ABA is committed to antiracism, representation, equity, and access in all that we do. We believe that diversity and diverse perspectives make our organization stronger and we are committed to equity, dignity, and diversity for all Peoples. ABA will:

• Implement best practices to ensure more diverse hiring and more opportunities for promotion into senior and decision-making positions at all levels of the organization for employees.
• Ensure that ABA policies and procedures are antiracist, create opportunities for everyone, and demonstrate support for historically marginalized Peoples.
• Support diverse colleagues, employees, bookstore owners, booksellers, authors, and publishers.
• Work closely with ABA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of member booksellers to be aware of concerns of a diverse group of booksellers and bookstore owners, and to use the council’s insights and feedback to improve and inform ABA’s programs and services to better serve marginalized communities, demonstrate best practices for all members, and make our organization stronger.
• Require representation of BIPOC, queer, disabled, and other marginalized authors and books at all ABA events (at least 40% of speakers/panelists overall).
• Meet as staff throughout the year to discuss topics and educate ourselves on issues related to antiracism, antidiscrimination, microaggressions, and supporting underrepresented Peoples.
• Commit to the core values of mutual respect, listening, empathy, and empowered participation.
• Actively work with publishers and authors toward a more representative book industry in which all voices are heard.

ABA’s Code of Conduct is updated and reviewed annually (adopted May 2018; updated October 2021; updated September 2022)

ABA is committed to antiracism, equity, access, and representation. ABA is also committed to being more inclusive, and we value the dignity and diversity of everyone in our community. To that end, ABA strives for safer events and a safer community and workplace as well as an enjoyable experience for everyone involved with ABA’s work, both in-person and virtually. We use the terms “safer” and “more inclusive” to indicate that these conditions are not perfectible but a continuous effort.

View full Code of Conduct

American Booksellers Association Staff Committee Members:

• Allison K Hill, CEO
• Ray Daniels, CCO
• PK Sindwani, CFO
• María Rodriguez, Meetings & Planning Coordinator
• Mariana Calderón, ABA DEIA Member Relations Manager

Bookseller Committee Members:

• Christine Bollow, Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, D.C. and Silver Spring, Maryland
• Kim Brock, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, Ohio
• Gina Carra, BookPeople, Austin, Texas
• Valeria Cerda, La Revo Books, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Carolann Jane Duro, Quiet Quail Books & Indigenous Book Club, Highland, California
• Audrey Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, Massachusetts
• Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo's Mid-City Book Shop, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Kalani Kapahua, Third Place Books, Seattle, Washington
• David Landry, CLASS Bookstore, Houston, Texas
• Chonteau McElvin, Spiral Circle Bookstore & More, Orlando, Florida
• Rafe Posey, Eagle Harbor Book Co., Bainbridge Island, Washington
• Hillary Smith, Black Walnut Books, Glens Falls, New York 

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Now accepting nominations for ABA’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee (DEIC) 2023!

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• Created DEIA Guides to all ABA Institutes beginning with Ci2022 in Phoenix and Wi2023 in Seattle.
• Reviewed ABA Institutes and offered feedback to improve accessibility, equity, access, and inclusion.
• Reviewed educational programming for Institutes through a DEIA lens and offered feedback.

A list of ABA’s DEIA work

ABA continues to create content and programming for members and staff. Some of our member favorites activities include:

Featured Talk with Dr. Adia Harvey Wingfield: Gray Areas (June 6, 2023)
Content related to the education sessions Featured Talk with Dr. Adia Harvey Wingfield: Gray Areas, Children's Institute 2023.

Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace (June 6, 2023)
Content related to the education session Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace, Children's Institute 2023.

Designing and Implementing a DEI Program for Your Store (February 22, 2023)
Content related to the education session Designing and Implementing a DEI Program for Your Store, Winter Institute 2023.

Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change (February 22, 2023)
Content related to the education sessions Breakfast Keynote: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change, Winter Institute 2023.

Native Stories Now: Keynote & Breakfast (June 22, 2022)
Content related to the education session Native Stories Now: Keynote & Breakfast, Children's Institute 2022.

Report from the Field: Black Female Entrepreneurship: Bookselling and Literacy as Resistance (March 8, 2022)
Content related to the education session Report from the Field: Black Female Entrepreneurship: Bookselling and Literacy as Resistance, Snow Days 2022.

Diversity & Inclusion Matters in your Store: A DEIA Store Audit to Walk the Talk (February 16, 2022)
Content related to the education session Diversity & Inclusion Matters in your Store: A DEIA Store Audit to Walk the Talk, THREE WORKSHOPS: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Knowing Better Means Doing Better.

Creating a Work Environment That Embraces Access, Equity, and Justice (materials available) (February 18, 2021)
Content related to the education session Creating a Work Environment That Embraces Access, Equity, and Justice (materials available), Winter Institute 2021.

When we gather together for our events, ABA acknowledges that those of us here in the United States reside on traditional lands of Indigenous People past and present. In gratitude, ABA acknowledges this at the beginning of our conferences. We also make a donation to a local Indigenous organization to honor the local community. For virtual events ABA makes a donation to the American Indian College Fund.

ABA has created Affinity Groups to allow members an opportunity to gather for connection, support, community, resources, networking, etc. ABA is not present during these sessions and the discussion topics are completely up to those in attendance. These closed sessions are available only for those individuals who identify as members. Ally support is greatly appreciated while attendance is not.

These are the 4 groups below: