To be greeted by a wall of books gathered from community members, paintings by local artists, and the warm feeling of stepping into the beating heart of a local community, few places evoke these feelings. But the Roots Bookstore and Market in Miami does just that.
The seeds of Roots date back to 2015, when the Roots Collective was founded by the late Daniel Agnew, his brother Philip Agnew, Isaiah Thomas and James Mungin II.
“His goal was to unite the Black community in Miami, to bring together the different parts to uplift economically. He believed the most important thing was to unite under the goal of providing business, opportunity, and connection in the city,” said Agnew, a 2014 EBONY Power 100 honoree, about his brother Daniel’s founding vision.
After Daniel’s passing, the closure of the original Roots Marketplace in 2023 left space for a lifelong calling to come to fruition.
“We should do a bookstore. When we were growing up, my father was known as a bookman across the city of Chicago,” Agnew shared. “We always grew up around books, and Danny had been having many conversations with my dad about starting a book component for the Roots Collective. It was a divine thing, a spiritual thing.”
Opened on Juneteenth in 2025, this space is rooted not only in Black preservation but in Black legacy and community building. It also speaks to the growth of Black-owned bookstores and youth engaging in these spaces.
Agnew, founder of Dream Defenders in 2012 and Black Men Build in 2020, has worked to advocate for and support Black communities locally and nationally.
“I feel the most purposeful when I’m doing that work. I feel the most aligned with my purpose.”
Continuing the work of the Roots Collective, the Roots Bookstore and Market is a grassroots bookstore featuring local authors and community-donated books, as well as an open event space for children’s readings, book clubs, music gatherings, and more.
That feeling of community is not only experienced by those who walk through the store but also embraced by the local community as a space of opportunity. Like fellow South Floridians, I can’t help but feel both warmth and inspiration when taking in the space.
“There is not one day I don’t get a little feeling of love from the community,” Agnew concurred. “We have young kids who come in and do their homework here. We have a young man named Junior who comes in almost every chance he gets to help and welcome people—you can’t make that up.”
Speaking to both the necessity of a Black cultural third space and the importance of Black-owned independent bookstores, Roots stands as one of 13 Black-owned bookstores in Florida. With over 9,000 books banned in public schools across the state since 2021—and legislation proposed to strengthen those bans—spaces like Roots are essential to preserving and sharing Black stories in communities that actively seek them out.
Additionally, as one of many Gen Z adults contributing to the return of physical media through the rise of vinyl and DVDs, bookstores like Roots allow Black readers to see themselves reflected beyond the words they hope to read.
“Having this space feels good to us. There’s a renaissance of Black bookstores happening now, and we’re a part of that network that has existed for over 100 years,” Agnew explained.
With the upcoming release of his collaborative poetry book with Brandon Vega, P.S. Eye Value You, Agnew is also adding to the growing lexicon of Black literature that extends beyond the walls of a bookstore.
“I know how much reading certain books transformed my life and how I see myself in the world. To know that our book will have that impact for some young people across the country means a lot to me and us.”
Spaces like Roots have an impact beyond their brick-and-mortar locations. In a world where Next Gen can find information instantly online, bookstores offer something different: community, presence, and the tactile experience of holding stories in your hands. It’s an experience that grounds readers in something real and shared.
Roots isn’t doing it alone. In honor of Independent Bookstore Day, held this year on April 25, here are five other Black-owned bookstores across the country that are redefining our reading experience.
Get Lit Books and Things — Moreno Valley, California
Founded in 2024 by a couple, Danielle and Ruthie Myers-Porter, Get Lit Books and Things offers a curated collection of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and women-authored books. The bookstore also hosts community events and sells candles, tarot readings, and jewelry.
GrassRootz Bookstore and Juice Bar — Phoenix
Founded in 2019 by Ali Nervis, GrassRootz in downtown Phoenix is the city’s first Black-owned bookstore. By hosting local events like a monthly free breakfast program and open mics, and by housing a wide variety of books, GrassRootz helps amplify Black stories in the Phoenix area.
Source of Knowledge — Newark, New Jersey
Founded in 1992 by Dexter George, Martha “Masani” Barnwell, and Patrice McKinney, Source of Knowledge is regarded as a Black community hub in Newark. Hosting events with local authors, panel discussions with writers across media, a wide range of books, and book club programming help make Source of Knowledge a lasting presence in the world of Black-owned bookstores.
Liz’s Book Bar — Brooklyn, New York
Founded in 2024 by author Maura Cheeks, Liz’s Book Bar blends books with wine and coffee vibes. From hosting book and writing workshops to wine workshops and tastings, the independent bookstore brings an eclectic vibe to the local Brooklyn community.
Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics — Houston, Texas
Founded in 2020 by Byron Canady in Houston’s Third Ward, Gulf Coast Cosmos Comics hosts a wide range of books, from indie authors to bigger publishers. The local store also hosts game nights, workshops, and parties to foster an open space for everyone in the community to enjoy.