Historic Black-Owned Bookstore in Missouri Undergoes Modern Transformation by New Media Venture
Willa's Books and Vinyl Transforms into Community Archive and B-REAL Academy
In a significant move, Willa's Books and Vinyl, the oldest Black-owned bookstore in Missouri, is set to undergo a transformation. The beloved cultural cornerstone, known for its vast collection of books by Black authors and its role in promoting Black literacy, will close its current form but will evolve into a community archive to preserve its legacy.
The makeover is being funded by The Kansas City Defender, a nonprofit organization dedicated to producing news, digital tools, and public services for Black people across the Midwest. The B-REAL Academy, a 15-week Black education initiative, will be housed within the transformed bookstore.
Willa Robinson, the founder of Willa's Books and Vinyl, expressed that she is not ready to retire but feels it's time to do so. The B-REAL Academy's focus on Black education and history aligns with The KC Defender's mission, making it a perfect fit for the new endeavour.
The B-REAL Academy will emphasize Black radical education for abolition and liberation, according to Melissa Ferrer-Civil, the director of the academy and the official poet laureate for Kansas City, Missouri. It will also provide a physical space for Black education and community engagement, furthering the bookstore's legacy.
The transformed bookstore will serve as a public archive, continuing its legacy of cataloging over 20,000 books. It will also support The Defender's Mutual Aid efforts, including free grocery deliveries and clothing drives.
A farewell celebration was held at the bookstore to mark its transformation and the retirement of its founder, Willa Robinson, at the age of 84. The event was reported by Startland News, with Taylor Wilmore capturing the moment for the publication.
While there is no available information linking Willa's Books and Vinyl to a "B-REAL Academy" or a specific 15-week Black education initiative in the provided search results, the bookstore's collection will continue to serve as an essential resource to the Black community in Missouri.
For those seeking more information about the B-REAL Academy or other educational initiatives at Willa's Books and Vinyl, it might be helpful to contact local organizations or the Kansas City community directly. The transformed bookstore and The KC Defender's B-REAL Academy are set to open their doors to the community soon, continuing the legacy of promoting Black literacy and culture in Kansas City.
- The transformed Willa's Books and Vinyl will not only function as a public archive, but also house the B-REAL Academy, a 15-week Black education initiative.
- The collaboration between Willa's Books and Vinyl and the B-REAL Academy reflects a shared commitment towards promoting Black education and history, furthering the bookstore's original mission.
- In addition to its commitment towards education, the transformed bookstore will also support The Defender's Mutual Aid efforts, including food and clothing drives.
- Beyond books and education, the new community archive plans to foster a vibrant community space where discussions on fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, and pets can take place.
