Black Phoenix Arizona

Black-Owned Bookstores in the Valley You Gotta Know About

04/30/2025 | 3 Min. Read

Y’all, let me put you on real quick.

If you know me, you know I love a good bookstore. Not the giant chains with five copies of the same bestseller and barely any Black authors in sight. I’m talking about the ones that feel like home. Where you walk in and see books that look like us, sound like us, and speak to our experiences. That’s the kind of energy these three Black-owned bookstores are bringing to Phoenix — and I gotta show them some love.

Let’s talk about it.

Grassrootz Books and Juice Bar

Whew. This place is IT.

Grassrootz is like if a bookstore, a wellness spot, and a freedom school had a baby. You walk in and it smells like fresh juice and purpose. They’ve got books on everything from Black history to liberation to healing — plus, you can sip on something green and good for your soul while you read.

But it’s not just about books or juice. It’s the energy for me. The community vibe. The open mics, the lectures, the art shows. It’s where culture lives in Phoenix. I’ve had some of the best convos here, just sitting at a table flipping through pages and sipping on a smoothie. Grassrootz isn’t just a bookstore — it’s a heartbeat.

Onyx Oasis Bookstore

Now this one? Soft life in bookstore form.

Onyx Oasis is all about peace, presence, and pouring into ourselves. The first time I went, I didn’t even want to leave. It’s a woman-owned, Black-owned sanctuary filled with good books, cozy energy, and the kind of vibes that make you want to light a candle and get your life together.

The selection is super intentional — from self-help to poetry to books that help you feel seen in a world that often overlooks us. It’s giving rest is resistance. It’s giving we deserve nice things. If you’re looking for a space to just breathe and be, Onyx is calling your name.

The Lit Twist – Phoenix’s First Mobile Bookstore

Listen. When I found out we had a Black-owned mobile bookstore in Phoenix, I almost did a two-step in the middle of the street.

The Lit Twist is a WHOLE mood. It’s the first mobile bookstore in the city, and it’s run by a Black woman who said, “Why not take the books to the people?” She literally pulls up to markets and community events with a van full of literature by Black authors — and the vibe is always right.

Kids, teens, grown folks — there’s something for everybody. The way she centers Black voices is beautiful. And let’s be real — anything that helps our babies see themselves in books is something we need to protect and support at all costs.

So Boom…

If you’ve been wanting to read more, shop intentionally, or just tap into spaces created for us by us — these three bookstores should be at the top of your list.

⚲ Grassrootz for the culture and convo

⚲ Onyx Oasis for the calm and clarity

⚲The Lit Twist for the mobile magic and movement

Support them. Share them. Pull up with your friends. Bring your kids. Bring your whole self. Because when we show up for each other, we all win.

Whats the word?