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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Featured Stores
Printer-friendly versionBelonging Books is a community program provider and pop-up bookstore that centers the voices and stories of people of color and other underrepresented communities. Through its creative programs and events, Belonging Books creates and holds space for joy, celebration, rest and connection.
Founder and owner, Erica Tso Haidas, is a first-generation Chinese-Canadian living in Brewster, Massachusetts (Cape Cod). Her dedication as a community advocate shines through her impactful work. Specific to the AAPI community, she organized successful Lunar New Year Celebrations in Hyannis, drawing over 200 attendees. She is currently crafting a documentary with Big Tree to amplify Asian voices of Cape Cod. In her role as the presenter of "Solidarity: Asian Americans and the Fight for Racial Justice," Erica tackles pressing issues, igniting crucial conversations and inspiring collective action.
Erica also serves as a mentor for students, volunteers for various local racial equity organizations and was the 2024 recipient of The Duende-Word BIPOC Bookseller Award in Activism.
Hudson Valley Books for Humanity in Ossining, NY
Inspired by the desire to rehome many of her own books, Amy Hall founded Hudson Valley Books for Humanity in 2021. Today, the store offers new, used, and collectible titles, as well as work from local artists. Hall focuses on prioritizing historically marginalized voices in the collection. All new titles, for example, are curated with this goal in mind. Hudson Valley Books for Humanity strives to be socially and environmentally conscious whenever possible, whether that means sourcing local goods, minimizing waste, or planning their next event accordingly.
Rohi's Readery in West Palm Beach, FL
Rohi's Readery is a social justice driven children's bookstore and learning center dedicated to critical literacy that promotes inclusivity and diversity by honoring historically marginalized communities. Driven by a commitment to amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities, including Black, Indigenous, Arab, Asian, Pacific Islander, Latine, LGBTQIA+, and the disability and neurodiverse communities, the Readery strives to create a space where individuals can find liberation in their identity while learning about the diverse stories of others.
At the core of Rohi’s Readery is a dedication to promoting literacy experiences that empower both children and adults. Through free educational programming, the Readery offers a range of classes such as gardening, cooking, dance, book clubs for children, healing writing, caregiver gatherings, educator workshops, and inclusive yoga for adults to name a few.
If you would like your store to be featured, please email [email protected] and tell us about your store.