Source: Cheryl Chenet / Getty
There’s a new bookstore in the area, and in fact is the first one to open in over 20 years in Southeast DC. Mahogany Books (named for the owners’ daughter) grand opened Saturday to sometimes, emotional residents. The owners, Derrick and Ramunda Young shared the story of a 50ish black man who walked in and started crying:
“I’ve never seen so many black books” he said.
They said they opened the store because she wants African Americans, especially children, to see themselves represented. They also wanted to meet a need in a “book desert.” This is why they opened it where they did.
A 2016 study found that in Anacostia, 830 children would have to share a single age-appropriate book, while only two children would need to share a book in the wealthier Capitol Hill neighborhood.
Adding culture and education is a goal of the Young family by opening the bookstore. “You can walk out of your house and go into a bookstore and look around, like you can do in other parts of town,” she said.
They also have a website: https://www.mahoganybooks.com/
