Turning the Page: Nzingha Nommo and the Fight to Keep Black Bookstores Alive

In an age dominated by online retail giants, independent bookstores continue to fight for their place — and their purpose.In this episode of Interludes, host Valarie “The Voice” Johnson speaks with Nzingha Nommo, founder and owner of AfriWare Books in Evanston, Illinois, about the challenges and triumphs of sustaining a Black-owned bookstore in a post–COVID-19 world.From a local lawsuit that echoes a David and Goliath struggle to the spirit of Ujamaa — cooperative economics — Nzingha shares her mission to preserve culture, build community, and keep the power of books alive.A powerful reminder that every story we buy helps another voice be heard.