Black Lives Matter

The American Booksellers Association has made the following statement in response to the antiracism movement occurring across the U.S. as a result of the murder of George Floyd and the history of violence against Black Americans:

We stand against racism and we support voices for justice.

Black Lives Matter.

Today and in the days ahead, we will be sharing antiracism resources and content from our past diversity programming, announcing new diversity and antiracism programming, reposting from Black-owned bookstores on social media, and amplifying Black voices.

ABA is renewing its commitment to diversity and antiracism. To start, ABA is launching the following initiatives and programs:

• A special Coffee Break Q&A with Left Bank Books staff members on their past and present experience as a store in the center of race-related protests. Booksellers are encouraged to attend to ask questions about topics related to the antiracism protests, from operational needs during riots to their store’s responsibility to its community. Left Bank will be answering questions based on their experience. This will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 4.
• A Children’s Institute virtual training on “Anti-Racist Allyship: Awareness, Knowledge, and Skills to Foster Equity with Cultures Connecting” on Wednesday, July 15
• A Children’s Institute virtual education session on “Representation in Science Fiction and Fantasy Young Adult and Middle Grade Books” on Wednesday, July 15
• Sharing critical resources on allyship, sales updates, and title lists in ABA’s daily updates
• A training on implicit bias and race relations for ABA’s Board of Directors with Cultures Connecting at the end of June
• A second training with Cultures Connecting for ABA’s entire staff

Watch BTW and follow ABA on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates.