Binc Announces Second Cohort of Its Business Incubator for Bookstore Ownership

Ten aspiring and brand-new bookstore owners from California to Florida were selected as the second cohort of BincTank, the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation’s business incubator pilot program to support Black, Indigenous, and People of Color-owned retail bookselling businesses that are physically located in their community. The 10 entrepreneurs, selected anonymously from a pool of 25 applications, will begin Professional Bookselling School in March.

“We are proud to support this group of entrepreneurs dedicated to opening bookstores in their community,” said Pam French, executive director of Binc. “They bring a diversity of experience, skills and background to BincTank from community activism and bookselling to working in the publishing industry and writing books, and they share our commitment to and passion for closing the diversity gap in bookstore ownership. We look forward to visiting their stores.”

The entrepreneurs are:

Aurora Anaya will launch a mobile bookstore and California native plant shop in spring that transforms spaces into thriving literary and ecological hubs. A seasoned social entrepreneur and former owner of the renowned La Casa Azul Bookstore in East Harlem, Anaya is passionate about amplifying BIPOC voices, fostering community connections, and promoting ecological awareness.

John McGregor worked in book publishing for over 30 years as a literary agent and most recently as a bookseller. During that time, he conceived “Wrapped in Rainbows,” the “definitive” biography of Zora Neale Hurston, and spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives as a bookseller. He plans to give Harlem the first in class, general interest bookstore he believes the historic neighborhood deserves.

Darnella McGuire-Nelson is a lifelong resident of Alexandria, Virginia, where she serves on various boards and committees.  She uses her platform as a haven for safe spaces, promoting policies and programs that maintain safe neighborhoods, support minority-owned businesses, transform communities, and enrich the lives of the marginalized and disadvantaged.

Priscilla Martinez is an Indigenous, Chicana, Latina woman. She’s been a community organizer for over 30 years with a depth of experience focusing on coalition-building, inter/intrafaith, civic engagement, and climate action. She is the founder and owner of West Side Stories, western Loudoun County Virginia’s indie bookstore, bakeshop, and coffeehouse.

Tamara Olmedo is an Asheville based Latina from the Bronx who discovered magic between the pages of a book at the age of 12. Since moving to the mountains of North Carolina in 2010, she has worked at various nonprofits with a mission to make resources accessible to everyone. When she’s not adding books to her TBR pile, Olmedo can be found around sharing books with her community through the Cuentos y Café BIPOC Bookstore pop-ups.

Tracy Ramey is an author, advocate, educator, and entrepreneur in Columbus, Ohio. She first had the idea to open a mobile bookstore in 2021 while working remotely as a preschool instructional assistant. She believes that everyone deserves a bookstore, especially those that don’t think bookstores are for them.

San Diego native Rasheedah Rashada is a well-being and mental health advocate and social entrepreneur committed to serving those under-represented and improving the community’s educational, health, and wellness outcomes. She has been involved in several community-based projects, including public health, arts & cultural, urban agriculture, working with formerly incarcerated youth and adults, and implementing programming in educational institutions.

Aminata Solammon is driven by the belief that every young person deserves to experience the joy of finding a book that feels uniquely theirs. An Atlanta native by way of Oakland, CA, Solammon combines her passion for youth development, children’s literature, and fostering human connection to spark creativity and a sense of belonging in children and youth. When she’s not writing picture books, she enjoys exploring new cities with her husband and two children.

Selena Teems is the founder of Successful YOU!®️ Books were their first love and remain their favorite companions. They empower self-publishing entrepreneurs to unlock profits and showcase their expertise via coaching, training, and niche networks.

Erica Wisely is the passionate founder and owner of Reid Wisely Books & Brew, a children’s bookstore based in Rockland County, New York. Inspired by her journey as a mother to two biracial children, she created this community-focused pop-up shop to celebrate diversity in storytelling and amplify the voices of BIPOC authors.

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The Book Industry Charitable Foundation

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