Hakim's Bookstore

Hakim's Bookstore is an independent bookstore in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, known for its focus on Black history, African American literature, and books about the wider African diaspora. The business was established in 1959 under the name Hakim's House of Knowledge Bookstore by Dawud Hakim, a former postal employee who became interested in sharing Black historical knowledge after reading J. A. Rogers's 1934 book 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro. Before opening a permanent retail location, Hakim sold books from his automobile. The store developed as both a bookseller and a community institution. Its subject emphasis has centered on works that document Black history, identity, politics, culture, and achievement, areas that have historically been underserved by mainstream retail distribution. Hakim's therefore occupies a role beyond ordinary book retail: it has served as a local source of educational material and as a gathering point connected with Philadelphia's Black intellectual and cultural life. Dawud Hakim died in 1997. His daughter, Yvonne Blake, and other members of the Hakim family continued operating the business. The family-led continuity helped preserve the store's identity and specialist mission across changes in the American bookselling market, including the growth of large chains, online retail, and digital commerce. The store faced a serious threat of closure around 2014. Public attention increased after a 2015 Philadelphia Inquirer feature described the bookstore's situation, prompting an outpouring of community support that helped it remain in business. This episode illustrated the importance of local customers, media visibility, and civic support to historically significant independent retailers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hakim's physical storefront temporarily closed, but the business continued selling books through its website. Online demand rose substantially during the Black Lives Matter protests that followed the 2020 murder of George Floyd, when public interest in Black history, racism, civil rights, and African American political thought increased. In 2021, ESPN recognized the store as a Champion Black Business. Pennsylvania designated Hakim's Bookstore a historic landmark in 2023, formally recognizing its cultural and historical importance. Hakim's remains an active Philadelphia bookstore with a specialist catalog and a strong community-oriented identity. Its historical significance rests on its longevity, Black ownership, family stewardship, commitment to Black-centered publishing, and role in making African American history and literature accessible to local readers and visitors.

Hakim's Bookstore was founded in Philadelphia in 1959 by Dawud Hakim as Hakim's House of Knowledge Bookstore. Hakim had previously worked for the post office and began selling books from his car before establishing a permanent store. His interest in Black history was strengthened by reading J. A. Rogers's 1934 work 100 Amazing Facts About the Negro, which encouraged him to make historical information about Black people more accessible to the public. The bookstore's mission developed around African American history, literature, politics, culture, and the history of the African diaspora. It became one of Philadelphia's most recognizable Black-owned bookstores and an important source of specialized reading material. Its business model combined conventional book retail with a strong educational and community function, particularly for customers seeking works that were not always prominently stocked by mainstream booksellers. Dawud Hakim died in 1997. His daughter, Yvonne Blake, and other family members continued the operation, preserving the store's family ownership and subject-matter focus. The transition allowed Hakim's to remain active across a period when independent bookstores faced increasing pressure from national chains and online competitors. By 2014, the store was close to shutting down. Its circumstances received broader attention after a 2015 feature in The Philadelphia Inquirer, which prompted significant public support. Customers and community members rallied around the bookstore, helping it survive a period of financial and operational difficulty. The episode reinforced Hakim's status as a cultural institution rather than simply a commercial retail outlet. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary closure of the physical storefront. Hakim's continued taking and fulfilling book orders through its website, allowing the business to remain active while in-person retail was disrupted. Online sales grew notably during the Black Lives Matter protests that followed George Floyd's murder in 2020, when demand increased for books addressing Black history, racial inequality, civil rights, and related subjects. In 2021, ESPN named Hakim's a Champion Black Business. In 2023, Pennsylvania designated the bookstore as a historic landmark. The designation acknowledged the store's longevity, Black ownership, family stewardship, and contribution to Philadelphia's cultural history. Hakim's continues to be identified with specialist bookselling focused on African American and Black diasporic subjects.

• 2023

  Pennsylvania historic-landmark designation

  [1]Hakim's Bookstoreen.wikipedia.org

  The bookstore is designated a Pennsylvania historic landmark.

• 2021

  Recognized as a Champion Black Business

  [1]Hakim's Bookstoreen.wikipedia.org

  ESPN recognizes Hakim's Bookstore as a Champion Black Business.

• 2020

  Online retail becomes central during the pandemic

  [1]Hakim's Bookstoreen.wikipedia.org

  The physical store temporarily closes during COVID-19, while website sales continue and later rise during Black Lives Matter protests.

• 2015

  Community support helps save the store

  [1]Hakim's Bookstoreen.wikipedia.org

  A Philadelphia Inquirer article generates public attention and an outpouring of support for Hakim's.

• 2014

  The bookstore nearly closes

  [1]Hakim's Bookstoreen.wikipedia.org

  Hakim's faces a serious threat to its continued operation.

• 1997

  Dawud Hakim dies

  [1]Hakim's Bookstoreen.wikipedia.org

  Following the founder's death, his daughter Yvonne Blake and other family members continue operating the store.

• 1959

  Hakim's House of Knowledge Bookstore is established

  [1]Hakim's Bookstoreen.wikipedia.org

  Dawud Hakim establishes the bookstore in Philadelphia after previously selling books from his automobile.

A historically significant, Black-owned independent bookstore and community institution specializing in African American history, literature, and culture.

• History and cultural studies

  African American history books

  A core part of the store's catalog, covering the history, experiences, achievements, and institutions of Black people in the United States and beyond.

• Literature

  African American literature

  The bookstore offers literature by and about Black writers, including works connected with African American identity, culture, and historical experience.

• Politics and social issues

  Books on Black politics and social movements

  Hakim's specializes in books addressing racial justice, civil rights, political thought, social movements, and contemporary debates affecting Black communities.

• 2020

  Maintain online sales during the COVID-19 closureStrategy

  Background

  The pandemic temporarily disrupted in-person retail at the Philadelphia storefront.

  Action taken

  Hakim's continued selling books through its website rather than suspending the business entirely.

  Aftermath

  Online sales increased significantly during the Black Lives Matter protests that followed George Floyd's murder.

  Source

1. 1Hakim's Bookstoreen.wikipedia.org