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Celebrating Black Bookselling at Winter Institute 2025
During the upcoming Winter Institute 2025 in Denver, a noteworthy keynote presentation will spotlight four influential bookstore owners dedicated to Black bookselling. Donya Craddock, co-owner of Dock Bookshop in Fort Worth, Texas, will introduce panelist Janet Webster Jones with high praise, declaring, “All hail to the queen, Ms. Janet.” Jones is celebrated in the literature community as the co-owner, alongside her daughter Alyson Jones Turner, of Source Booksellers in Detroit, which has earned the title of PW’s Bookstore of The Year.
The nomination of Source Booksellers for this prestigious accolade came from Sandra Law, a sales representative at Abraham Associates. In her heartfelt letter, Law expressed that among the many remarkable independent bookstores she collaborates with throughout the Midwest, few exemplify the essence of bookselling and local community engagement as strongly as Source. She commended Jones for her unwavering commitment to promoting literacy, education, and historical consciousness, ensuring that a diverse range of books is available to inspire and inform readers.
Jones’s impact resonates widely. Renowned author Hanif Abdurraqib, who frequently visits Source, complements its atmosphere by stating, “It is a beacon of warmth, a true definition of a community-centered bookstore, deeply connected to its locality, its readers, and the authors who grace its shelves.”
Reflecting on the origins of Source, Jones recounted that her journey began with a pop-up bookstore well before this concept gained popularity. Initially a public school educator in Detroit, she started selling literature focused on African and African American history in 1989. Setting up a table at church events, fairs, and community gatherings, she recalls her early days fondly, saying, “We just went where we knew the people would be. There I was, the book lady among those selling jewelry and clothing.”
After retiring from teaching in 2002, Jones collaborated with three other Black women entrepreneurs to create the Spiral Collective, which operated for over a decade near Source’s current location in Midtown. Ultimately, Source Booksellers became an independent entity in 2013, starting in a modest 800-square-foot space that expanded to 1,400 square feet during the pandemic.
Today, Source employs seven staff members and specializes in nonfiction titles that emphasize history, culture, health, metaphysics, spirituality, and works by and about women. Jones emphasizes the importance of local relevance, stating, “I see myself as a bookseller representing titles that connect with the people associated with Detroit, as well as those who visit or have connections to the city.”
The longevity of Source can be attributed to its unique niche and the depth of inventory that distinguishes it from more generalized bookstores. Jones articulates their philosophy, saying, “We don’t aim to do everything. Instead, we strive to serve our community; service is one of our core principles.”
Moreover, understanding that “literacy takes many forms,” Jones and her team are dedicated to accommodating various reader preferences, whether through print, digital formats, or audiobooks. “Everyone has a literary life,” she asserts, highlighting that all engagement with reading matters, no matter the format.
A version of this article appeared in the 04/21/2025 issue of Publishers Weekly under the headline: PW Bookstore of the Year: Source Booksellers
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