With her children’s book The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore, Vaunda Micheaux Nelson introduces her young readers to the magic of her great-uncle Lewis Michaux Sr.’s National Memorial African Bookstore. R. Gregory Christie’s bold paintings splash color across the proud history of the bookstore that proclaimed itself “The House of Common Sense and Home of Proper Propaganda”. As it grew to national prominence, Lewis’ bookstore offered an incredible array of books by and about black people, and the bookstore drew a loyal following of notable athletes, activists, artists, authors, politicians, and academics, perhaps most notably Malcolm X who spoke passionately to crowds on a platform outside the store.

Discover more…

Vaunda Micheaux Nelson – https://thebrownbookshelf.com/2009/02/16/vaunda-micheaux-nelson/
Gregory Christie – http://gas-art.com/about-r-gregory-christie/
National Memorial African Bookstore – http://www.nytimes.com/1976/08/27/archives/lewis-michaux-92-dies-ran-bookstore-in-harlem.html

#blackbrilliance #blackhistoryismore #blackhistorymonth