Black Lives Matter

…to support Black creators and entrepreneurs

Detroit Specials fully supports the Black Lives Matter criminal justice reform movement, and the broader movement pushing for Black lives to matter in all aspects of society.

Here is our 10-point plan for supporting Black people in the city of Detroit and beyond:

1. Compared to books written by almost any other demographic, books written by Black authors can be hard to find in the used book marketplace. Detroit Specials will actively source as many used works as possible by Black authors, and will feature all books we do receive by Black authors in our weekly ‘Just In’ posts on Facebook and on this site.
2. We have a small budget for new books. At least 50% of all new books that we purchase directly from authors or publishers will be written by Black authors.
3. We have a small budget for greeting cards, impulse buy items, and refreshments. At least 50% of all items we purchase in those categories will be provided by Black creators and vendors.
4. When we are able to hire long-term staff, we will advertise for those positions solely in spaces that are primarily Black.
5. When things open up again and we can once more host readings and workshops, we will make sure at least 50% of the authors, teachers, or organizers we invite to use our space are Black.
6. When things open up again and we can once more rent out our meeting space, we will offer all Black or majority Black community groups discounts on the space.
7. We will never do as Borders used to and relegate books by Black authors to the back of the store.
8. When customers approach us for recommendations, we will never hesitate to suggest works by Black authors regardless of who’s asking. And I personally commit to reading more books by Black authors both for my own enjoyment and education, and so I can make better recommendations.
9. We commit to adjusting our business plan as needed to get as many works and items by Black authors, creators, and vendors as possible onto our shelves.
10. We commit to revisiting our business plan at least twice a year, and to using part of that time to figure out how we can expand our support of local Black or majority Black community groups.

This is just the start. I know there is more we could do; while I have a few ideas, we are not yet in a position to follow through on anything but the above list. That may be a good thing…the last thing the Black community needs right now is some NBPOC (non-Black person of color) to jump up and down demanding attention. Ultimately, the best way Detroit Specials can support Black people is to actually support Black people by not only offering them opportunities that many other groups take for granted, but making that philosophy part of our permanent business plan.

Detroit Specials is a very small shop. We’re so small, the word ‘we’ feels grandiose. Our resources are limited. But we pledge to use what resources we have to offer as much support as we can to the Black community, and to keep that philosophy as a central tenet of our business plan now and forever.