Ujamaa Community Bookstore

Ujamaa Community Bookstore is the new endeavor by the people behind Flanner House, a non-profit social services program in Indianapolis. This bookstore is so cool. There are multiple shelves lined with books written by and about Black people. You'll find children's books, graphic novels, biographies, fiction, non-fiction and everything in between. Most of the books are new, but there is a shelf with discounted used books, too. There's a sign in the store that says something like, "Celebrating Black history every day of the year," and it's true. This bookstore is a celebration of Black history and the future, too.There's a cozy little nook in the bookstore just for kids, with toys, lots of different games for all ages, tables to do projects, a rocking chair to sit in and read, and stuffed animals to hug. On the other end of the bookstore, you'll find a public restroom that's not just a restroom, it's a sanctuary to help the community. Inside, you'll find health and hygiene products, oral care products, first-aid supplies, and products for people who menstruate. This is simply the best place ever. Ujamaa is really invested in the community and wants to help the people who stop by. You'll also find a little coffee bar with Keurig coffee, as well as hot water and tea bags. I couldn't tell if the beverages were complimentary or not. But what a nice idea to enjoy a cup of coffee and read a book in this amazing place!The people I encountered who work here were so friendly and nice. They were ready to help and answer questions.Ujamaa is a bookstore, but they also sell medicinal plants, lotions and candles made by local artisans, book-related gifts, and lots more. It's a great place to find a gift for the book-lover in your life, for sure.

I love this bookstore. I have been meaning to stop by for awhile and finally I got the chance. Everyone in here was so amazingly kind and even though they were busy, they made sure to check in to make sure we were finding everything alright. You can tell they take great care with what books they offer for purchase and there were a lot of intriguing books to explore. I will definitely be returning when I make room in my budget for more books!Also, I don't have any children myself but noticed the area they made available for children - almost half of the room was setup as a space for kids which shows just how much thought and love went into creating this space for the community.

I am in love with this bookstore. I came in when everything was 50% off and it was such a treat. Ive been stalking the shops social media for a while. They post their weekly free events. They have candle making classes, book clubs, and even a computer lounge. They also sell so much more than just books. I saw a lot of my favorite local artists' work for sale. Along with a lot of African sculptures and black and white prints. Saw some crystals and body butters on sale too. They even had some board games in the back lol. It was such a beautiful store and the customer service was unbeatable. The people were super friendly and helpful. And absolutely knowledgeable about the books in the store, where they were, and what sections may be good for what. I'll be back ASAP.

Habari Gani? UJAMAA!Ujamaa is the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, which is a celebration of Black culture that occurs between Christmas & New Year each year. The principle of Ujamaa is Cooperative Economics. It represents our combined efforts to support our culture and build businesses which serve and benefit the whole community.Ujamaa Community Bookstore is an outstanding reflection of Ujamaa in action. The bookstore is located on the MLK corridor and nestled in the thriving MLK/Flanner House community. The bookstore is much larger than anticipated and if I recall correctly, is housed in the old Flanner House library. There are books galore, as well as a plethora of hand-crafted items from local artisans and gift items created by black and minority creators. There is a gaming space, coffee corner, and space to host a small book signing or pop-up event. If you're on the hunt for cultural books, this should definitely be the first stop on your to-visit list.

This new community bookstore that has opened within Flanner House is a great addition to this campus which has a farm, community service center, cafe and bodega and adjacent to a park. The book store offers local and national Black authors, stationary, coloring books, tarot cards and other paper goods. The vision for this store was developed over several years after the public library formerly at this location closed.

Ujamaa Community Bookstore, located within the Flanner House campus, is my new favorite local bookstore. The welcoming environment, reasonable prices, great selection, and lots of other fun items make it a place that I'll stop by not just to grab a book but also to get gifts for family and friends.