The Bulls of Durham
The Bulls of Durham

Liberation Stationed

Liberation Station Bookstore is moving to the heart of downtown Raleigh, NC. This is the next step of their mission to support Black literacy, legacy, and liberation. They offer high-quality children’s books written and illustrated by Black and Diasporic creators and center narratives of creativity and imagination. Their safe space is a unique cultural hub and gathering place for self-discovery.

108.51% Raised
$21,702.00 donated of $20,000.00 goal
202 Donors
Campaign has ended

Milestones

  • $500    | Reception Desk
  • $1,600 | Center Bookshelves & Seating
  • $6,500 | Shelving Complete for 364 sq. ft.
  • $9,500 | Artwork Design-Mural, Branding & Merch
  • $12,000 | Mural Installation, Painting, and Build-Out Details
  • $15,000 | Inventory, Videography + Photography, and ASL Interpreter for Grand Opening
  • ✨Dream Goal $20K✨| Grand Opening Beyond Our Ancestors’ Wildest Dreams.

Together we’ve strategized our milestones to make their Juneteenth 2023 grand opening inevitable.

About Liberation Station Bookstore:

Liberation Station Bookstore is a Black-owned, family-led children’s bookstore with a mission to support Black literacy, legacy, and liberation. After years of popups and installments within other businesses, Liberation Station has grown to the point where they need and can sustain a permanent location.

Since 2019, they’ve held mobile pop-ups throughout the Triangle, NC, that have garnered national recognition with highlights on GMA, The Washington Post, CNN, Walter Magazine, and many more. 

Their vision was simple, provide a space for Black children to see themselves represented in literature. That vision began in the trunk of our car, hosting pop-ups and story times throughout the Triangle, which included their Black Lit Library; concept shops permanently housing Black and Diasporic narratives in spaces like The Durham Hotel and Sarah Duke Gardens.  They soon realized they didn’t need a lot of space to make an impact. Liberation Station was born – a niche bookstore with a historical impact.

Their Vision:

They have a unique vision for their 364 sq. ft. physical space at 208 Fayetteville St., Suite 201, Raleigh, NC. The bookstore will be divided into four intentionally curated sections.

1st Section

The Diaspora Wall will include books from authors & illustrators that follow the voyage of the Transatlantic Map. This will consist of rotating work from Sierra Leone, Angola, Brazil, and The West Indies, to name a few.

2nd Section

America will dive into the vastness of Black childhood from birth to 18. This will have books written and illustrated by Black creators, some published by Black-owned or Black-led publishing houses, small press, independent, and local authors.

3rd Section

AP African American Studies will include text by authors being removed from curriculums, such as “Go Tell it on the Mountain” by James Baldwin, “The Bluest Eye,” “Song of Solomon,” and “Beloved “by Toni Morrison, and many more. This section of rotating work will include recommendations from Black AP African American Study educators throughout the country.

4th Section

The Anchor will introduce a small curation of adult titles lovingly paired with children’s titles. For example, one may have “All About Love” by bell hooks paired with “Homemade Love,” or the “1619 Project” by Nicole Hannah-Jones paired with “Born on the Water” or “Twisted” by Emma Dabiri paired with “Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut” by Derrick Barnes or “My Hair is a Garden” by Cozbi A. Cabrera. This section is an intergenerational conversation of what was and what is, it is the mirror we hold up to our mothers, grandmothers, fathers, grandfathers, and caregivers of how to empower ourselves along the way.

The Impact

Liberation Station will be a mirror for representation, inclusion, and accessible community resource. Our commitment is to highlight narratives that empower children to see themselves in their fullness.

They are a community-centered and led bookstore. YOU make all the difference.

Your investment will provide an opportunity for children of the diaspora to have direct access to their narratives and interact directly with historical artifacts in the heart of downtown Raleigh.

This tree (our bookstore) has nurtured thousands of children throughout the Triangle, and after four years, it is time to plant roots to continue growing the deeply intentional work that we know makes all the difference.

Hear from North Carolina Poet Laureate, Jaki Shelton Green on the importance of their work!

When do they open?

The grand opening is slated for Juneteenth Weekend 2023. They have a jam-packed calendar of events, including book signings by NY Times bestselling children’s book authors and illustrators, art exhibits, opportunities for children to interact with historical artifacts, and much more.

Other Ways You Can Help

  • Get the word out!
  • Share, Share, Share!
  • Come visit during the grand opening!

Testimonies of Liberation Station’s Work

Hear about the impact of our work from Jaki Shelton Green, NC Poet Laureate.

Hear about the impact of our work from Virginia Lozuke, Head of School at Montessori Farm School.

Hear about the impact of our work from Kavanah Anderson, Director of Learning & Engagement at Duke Gardens.

Responses

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  21. Leesha Heard April 5, 2023

    I donate because I love books. To see a family bring books not only to their own family, but to others in their community, endears their purpose to me. I, too, have the same concern about books banned from school curriculum—those of African-American writers and others. I believe that one should be exposed to all writings to not only broaden their minds and hearts, but to create in themselves a plethora of perspectives in others’ lives.

  23. Lisa Genschel April 5, 2023

    Supporting literacy in my community. Supporting small business in my community. Supporting women owned business in my community. Supporting black owned business in my community. #HappyReading

  24. Jessica Vestal April 5, 2023

    Thank you for making it possible for more children to have books featuring people that look like them. I’m excited to see the difference it makes in their dreams and lives!

  30. Muriel Evans April 6, 2023

    On behalf of my future daughter in-law. She’s an avid reader and supports small business and black owned business. Wishing you much success!

  36. Ainslie Uhl April 6, 2023

    Access to the world through books frees the soul, stimulates the mind, nurtures empathy, shifts patterns of energy. As a literacy specialist, I am very happy to support Liberation Station. What a gift to our community!

  39. Emily Blust April 6, 2023

    THANK YOU for the time and investment of your energy and passion to bring this amazing and critical resource to our community.

  46. Jesse Byrd April 7, 2023

    SO PROUD OF THIS WORK and grateful for the opportunity to support at the ground level. Excited to plant this seed with this amazing family at the helm.

  51. Anonymous April 9, 2023

    As the door closes to ban black history books from schools and public libraries, you are opening another door to keep those books circulating.
    Thank you for keeping our history alive! Of course, I will support you!

  55. Denise Rowson April 10, 2023

    I was so happy to see the clip on Liberation Bookstore on Spectrum News this morning. Congrats! I will b e sponsoring a CDF Freedom School this summer in Durham and would love for you to come a family night in July to present to parents,

  56. Anonymous April 10, 2023

    I can’t explain how happy I am to see you all grow! I’ve been following your story for a short time, but have been greatly inspired. I hope we are able to connect and partner together soon! ❤️

  60. Zakiya April 11, 2023

    Hello! I heard about you on the radio and I am sooo excited as I have two sons as well who love books. I can’t wait to visit when you open up. Also, I would love to contribute artwork if you’d like. I will send a message on IG.
    PEACE&LOVE

  61. Cynthia Vass April 11, 2023

    I am so glad I research a little more because I was on my way there this Saturday with my great-grands lol and my adult grands. Looking forward to seeing you here my dear and thank you sooo much for your vision that was gifted to you for our people. Much love 😍

  76. Anonymous April 17, 2023

    Books are some of the biggest sources of affirmation and vision. Black children haven’t yet had a chance to see nearly enough of their beauty, intelligence, creativity and possibility reflected in the books around them.

  84. Jordan Heard April 25, 2023

    May this endeavor bless a community of generations to come and exceed all expectations and overcome all limitations and tribulations. Amen… and Thank you!

  87. Alia El-Bermani April 26, 2023

    So grateful to you Victoria that you are creating this beautiful space here in Raleigh. I believe in you, I support you and send all my love to you and the family. Keep going!

  89. April Harrison April 26, 2023

    May God continue to bless your journey in elevating the lives of our children! I appreciate YOU! Let me know if I can volunteer for author/illustrator events in the future.

  90. Anonymous April 26, 2023

    My God continue to Bless your journey and commitment to elevating and enriching the lives of our children💖 You are appreciated💖

  95. Zulekha Holder-Young April 28, 2023

    Rooting for the success and longevity of Liberation Station. This is the culmination of love, dedication and a true deep belief in the power of COMMUNITY. Thank you for creating space and opportunities for authors to take readers on amazing journeys that they can visualize themselves in. Love and blessings to the entire Liberation Station Family!

  106. LaWanda Saddler May 4, 2023

    I donated because it is important to me to support the black community and black businesses. All the best!❤️❤️❤️ I am so proud of this family.

  107. Anonymous May 4, 2023

    I donated because it is important to me to support the black community and black businesses. All the best!❤️❤️❤️ I am so proud of this family.

  113. Tavon Whitty May 9, 2023

    What you guys have done is amazing. Thank you guys for showing ppl that we can do hwhat we put our minds to. We are hear and we’re not going anywhere. I’m going to show my son this tomorrow. God bless.

  114. Anonymous May 9, 2023

    You guys are amazing. Thank you for you have no idea what this means to our community. You guys just went down in history. Let that sink in. I’ll show my son in the morning. God bless you guys.

    1. Victoria Scott-Miller May 15, 2023

      Wow! We appreciate you and the community that continues to believe in our work. History is not made without the hands of those who lift us up. Thank you for lifting us.

  115. Anonymous May 9, 2023

    This is to honor my mother on Mother’s Day weekend. She would have been so thrilled with Liberation Station!

    1. Victoria Scott-Miller May 15, 2023

      We will honor her memory by creating a space she would be proud of. Thank you for this gift and we are sending love and light to you on this Mother’s Day. -Victoria Scott-Miller

  117. Gary & Sharo Santana May 10, 2023

    Books are gateways into so many worlds and this book store is a great haven to keeping those gateways available for generations to come. On forward Liberation Station Bookstore!
    PS: This small contribution is done in memory of my grandfather, Olmedo Cazorla, who taught me the love and importance of reading and writing.

    1. Victoria Scott-Miller May 15, 2023

      Yes, reading is a portal to worlds both new and old! We are grateful to hear of your grandfather, Olmedo Cazorla who planted the seed that grew your love for reading and writing. Thank you for this honor. -Victoria Scott-Miller

  121. Anonymous May 14, 2023

    So lovely to be able to help make this dream possible. The world needs more of what you’re giving and contributing. Thank you for all your efforts, hard work, and time.

  122. Clarica Kitchens May 14, 2023

    As a special education teacher, I provide explicit instruction for students with a reading disability. I envision educational equity will shift to include historically low-income communities. Providing equal access to quality resources through special education services enhancing literacy rates amongst marginalized students! Thank you for providing access to books by black authors on one exclusive place!✊🏾

  124. Natalie Minott May 15, 2023

    Its an honor and a privilege to witness this beautiful and much needed space come alive for our babies!! Thank you guys for carrying this vision in your hearts.

  127. Allison Hood May 15, 2023

    Being able to access diverse books is so important! Reading has changed my life and perspective in countless ways and I am excited to support this important work. Can’t wait to visit your store!

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