The Black Reserve Bookstore in Lansdale is a hub for Black culture and community, celebrating Black voices, history, and resilience, writes Madeleine Wright for CBS News Philadelphia.
Since being founded by Shaykh Anwar Muhammad in 2017, the shop has expanded significantly, now occupying four times more space than when it started. It is a gathering place where people come to read, seek and offer mentorship, and enjoy meaningful conversations.
“I tell people when they come in the store, when they get in the door, they transport to Wakanda, because it doesn’t feel like you’re in Lansdale anymore,” said Muhammad.
The bookstore often hosts various community events and supports local entrepreneurs, like Maliq Harris, who owns King’s Corner Boxing.
“Shaykh – that’s my guy right there,” said Harris. “We’re family. We do a lot of things together in the community. I consider him to be like a mentor to me and a brother.”
Muhammad has also welcomed new Black families and helped them adjust to life in Lansdale.
“Mr. Anwar knows almost every Black kid, Black family around here,” said School of Visual Arts student Joseph Banks. “I like to call him the Black Santa Claus.”
Read more about the Black Reserve Bookstore at CBS News Philadelphia.
