WHAT WILL THE AUDIENCE LEARN?
Listeners gain perspective on the role of literature in the movement to dismantle racism and other systems of oppression. The audience will hear our host and guest discuss how to tap into various healing modalities to generate strength and purpose in black bodies of culture.
EPISODE SUMMARY:
There is an extensive history of black people being denied access to literacy, as well as literature being used to bolster racist ideals. That is why spotlighting books that allow marginalized people to feel seen, valued, and inspired challenges white supremacy. Founders of Third Eye Books Accessories & Gifts LLC, Michelle Lewis & Charles Hannah, will join Rev. Dr. TLC to discuss the impact of highlighting literature written from black perspectives. They will explore how we use books, information, culture, and values to equip ourselves with a "Cultural Armor" to protect and guide us in the world today.
Tune in for this important conversation at TalkRadio.nyc
Rev. Dr. TLC begins the show with a guided meditation. She introduces the topics for today’s episode, which talks about the importance of black literature. Rev. Dr. TLC welcomes her guest Charles Hannah, founder of Third Eye Books Accessories & Gifts. She asks Charles what inspired him to open a bookstore. Charles talks about his upbringing and how his mother was the reason he started reading as a child. He says his wife is the glue to the business. He expresses that this is her vision and that he supports her hold heartily.
Rev. Dr. TLC asks Charles about some of the challenges he’s faced as a black bookstore owner due to the pandemic. Charles says their biggest challenge is to make reading fun. Another challenge he has come across is ignorance. Some people take offense to the celebration of black literature and have expressed interest in white authors. There are also challenges in finding great books. Rev. Dr. TLC was curious about how things have changed at Charles’ Portland bookstore since the death of George Floyd. Charles explains how his bookstore was an outlet for conversation. He talks about a couple he met from Wisconsin that walked into his bookstore. He says they shared a nice conversation before the woman mentioned it was the first time she conversed with someone who didn’t look like her.
Rev. Dr. TLC and Charles discuss the history of the relationship between black people and literature and how it was difficult for us to obtain books. Rev. Dr. TLC asks Charles how books can equip us to have this cultural armor that we need to protect and guide us in this world. Charles shares the benefits of books and how they ultimately give us strength. Charles shares what you can expect to experience when you visit his bookstore. Charles is known for burning incense, so you can expect to smell more than just books. He also likes to play different kinds of music in the bookstore, like smooth jazz and R&B. Charles wants his patrons to visually appreciate the black and brown artists plastered on the walls.
Rev. Dr. TLC and Charles discuss some of the guests that have come to Third Eye Books. Charles says they have about fifteen events before the end of the year. You can expect to see award-winning local authors and members of the black panther party. Before the end of the segment, Charles states why we should support black businesses.
00:00:35.390 --> 00:01:03.759 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Hello, and welcome to the dismantle racism. Show where our goal is to uncover, dismantle and to eradicate racism. I'm your host, the Reverend Dr. Teal. See, we really do aim on this show, and in the work that we do to create a world where racial equity is the norm. Before I began my show today, and before we start with our meditation, I just want us to offer our prayers, and
00:01:03.770 --> 00:01:11.750 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to send our love and healing light to Thailand, where we know that over twenty children
00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:40.919 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we're killed uh at a daycare center, and I believe the total uh that the latest total was thirty-seven people. Our hearts go out to them. But just as we do in this country, we really do want to make sure that we are creating a world and a space where people who have mental health issues are getting the care that they need, or whether people who are not just with mental health issues. But people who have hatred and their heart, or people,
00:01:40.930 --> 00:01:51.430 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: or in despair, whatever the situation is that they are getting the help that they need, and that we really do want to create a world where we're concerned about
00:01:51.550 --> 00:02:07.560 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: gun violence. So not just in the United States, but throughout. So I do want to ask that we will be in chameleon with the folks in Thailand, that we will be indeed praying for the parents who sent their kids to school,
00:02:07.570 --> 00:02:23.419 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and their babies were as young as two years old, even were uh taken from this world. So again I just want to offer our prayers and sending them um, you know just our love and our light towards them. Today
00:02:25.030 --> 00:02:43.700 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I want to invite us into that space of where we go into meditation just for a few moments before we start the show, and before we begin to talk about ways in which we can create a world where racial equity really does exist. So I invite you, if you would, to just simply close your eyes
00:02:44.030 --> 00:02:45.760 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and be present
00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:51.600 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to the moment, be present to your feet on the ground,
00:02:52.070 --> 00:02:55.689 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: knowing that that is your foundation
00:02:55.730 --> 00:02:58.860 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and connecting with your breath,
00:02:59.950 --> 00:03:11.030 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: breathing in and out. And we know that breath is the thing that signifies the life within us. Our breath also grounds us,
00:03:11.140 --> 00:03:13.909 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and so we take a deep breath in,
00:03:14.260 --> 00:03:16.749 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and we let that breath out
00:03:17.270 --> 00:03:30.049 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connecting with our Divine Source our sacred source, reminding us that we were created from this place of love. So we are love itself,
00:03:30.110 --> 00:03:31.970 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and we are loved.
00:03:32.690 --> 00:03:34.920 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Taking a deep breath in
00:03:35.430 --> 00:03:37.170 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: breathing out,
00:03:37.290 --> 00:03:39.829 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connecting with your own divinity,
00:03:40.540 --> 00:03:46.170 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connecting with your ancestors those who came before you
00:03:46.750 --> 00:03:51.200 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: inviting those ancestors into this place,
00:03:52.070 --> 00:03:55.489 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connecting all of who we are
00:03:55.930 --> 00:03:59.120 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: with our past, with our present,
00:03:59.620 --> 00:04:02.170 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: knowing that we are connected
00:04:02.480 --> 00:04:08.140 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: with not just the people in our households, but the people in our communities
00:04:08.290 --> 00:04:09.890 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and in our world.
00:04:11.020 --> 00:04:15.740 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So just take a deep breath in and out, and envision yourself
00:04:15.960 --> 00:04:23.170 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: concerned for all people connecting with all people. Knowing that what you do matters,
00:04:23.250 --> 00:04:26.260 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we are part of a greater ecosystem.
00:04:27.550 --> 00:04:28.940 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're all
00:04:29.300 --> 00:04:30.520 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connected.
00:04:31.700 --> 00:04:39.040 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So breathe in and out, and not only connecting with your ancestors and this present world,
00:04:39.140 --> 00:04:43.200 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: but connecting with those or who are to come after you,
00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:48.509 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: realizing that you are paving the way for them,
00:04:48.750 --> 00:04:54.100 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you are responsible for the world that you're leaving behind.
00:04:56.000 --> 00:04:58.180 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So take a deep breath in
00:04:58.610 --> 00:05:01.779 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and out, connecting with your power
00:05:03.240 --> 00:05:05.670 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connected with your courage,
00:05:06.900 --> 00:05:09.400 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connecting with your commitment,
00:05:10.900 --> 00:05:13.340 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connecting with your knowledge,
00:05:15.180 --> 00:05:19.019 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: connecting with your deep responsibility,
00:05:21.370 --> 00:05:24.240 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: so breathe in and out,
00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:28.159 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: realizing that the power of one
00:05:28.440 --> 00:05:31.509 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: contributes to the power of community,
00:05:32.600 --> 00:05:36.480 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and you have the ability to change the status quo.
00:05:39.190 --> 00:05:41.290 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I'll take a deep breath in,
00:05:42.740 --> 00:05:44.430 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Sign it out
00:05:45.010 --> 00:05:46.640 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: unless we get
00:05:50.010 --> 00:05:50.860 on
00:05:51.410 --> 00:06:04.500 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: today. I want to talk to you about a concept that I used to hear, but I was younger, and of course I hear it often now. But really, when I was a child I used to hear this phrase: Reading is fundamental,
00:06:05.460 --> 00:06:13.800 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and not only does it increase our brain sales, but it provides knowledge and gives us a window into the world.
00:06:14.260 --> 00:06:27.699 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: The enslavers and the colonizers didn't want enslaved people to know how to read and write, because they knew that the inherent power of these tools of reading and writing
00:06:28.600 --> 00:06:30.530 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: would allow us
00:06:30.920 --> 00:06:37.090 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: to expand and to excel beyond our greatest imagination.
00:06:38.150 --> 00:06:48.030 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So, years after the emancipation of enslaved people, limitations were still placed on us. We had inadequate books in our schools,
00:06:48.210 --> 00:06:50.930 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the history books themselves.
00:06:50.990 --> 00:06:57.890 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: They don't, really provide the truth of our nation, and they are often told from the side of the conqueror,
00:06:58.250 --> 00:07:06.599 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: all of which contributes to the disparities that existed, and many that still exist for people of color today.
00:07:07.170 --> 00:07:12.150 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It also contributes to the ignorance of many individuals in our society,
00:07:12.290 --> 00:07:16.539 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: because we have this false narrative
00:07:16.570 --> 00:07:20.409 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: of who the inventors were the creators were.
00:07:20.670 --> 00:07:25.730 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We have a false narrative of our own intellectual ability,
00:07:26.020 --> 00:07:33.160 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the false narrative that exist of what we are able to accomplish.
00:07:33.580 --> 00:07:46.809 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But today we can find books out there that are written by black authors, books that are written for and about us, books that tell the truth of our nation, and to be clear
00:07:46.820 --> 00:08:03.379 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that there are some books that are written also by folks of Europe, and des that also tells the truth of this nation, and tells the history of this country and the contributions of people of color
00:08:04.110 --> 00:08:22.139 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: today on our show, we really are going to take a look at uh the books that are out there. But I'm really delighted to have on the show today. Charles Hannah and I want to tell you a little bit about Charles Hannah before I bring him on the show. He and his wife, Michelle Lewis,
00:08:22.150 --> 00:08:51.720 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: are the owners of third I books, accessories, and Gifts Llc. Which was founded in two thousand and nineteen in Portland, Oregon. Their vision is to be the number one supplier of African-centered books, accessories, and gifts in the Portland Metro area. They believe that their products can be used as a tool to motivate, inspire, restore, enhance a person's cultural pride, and to bring forth happiness
00:08:51.730 --> 00:09:03.000 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and healing into the hearts of their customers, and their customers are not just African American folks. So wide range of folks who visit their bookstores.
00:09:03.190 --> 00:09:31.749 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I want to tell you a little bit more about third. I know, because they value and appreciate all the ways that their products and services can be used to uplift and improve the mind, the body and soul of customers, their customers. They are proudly one hundred percent black own and operated business. They believe in practicing cooperative economics by getting back to their community and
00:09:31.760 --> 00:09:42.150 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: supporting community-based organizations that uplift and empower the Portland residents. Now I believe that there they are far-reaching,
00:09:42.180 --> 00:09:48.889 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: not just in the Portland area. I'm really excited, because in in well, next month,
00:09:49.180 --> 00:10:14.009 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in November I will be going out to Portland area, and I will be able to meet with Charles and Melissa first hand, as they are hosting me, and i'm delighted to be one of their guests. In third eyes. Third I book accessory. So I want to welcome to the show today. Mr. Charles, Hannah and Michelle could not be with us. But welcome, welcome to our so happy to have you with me.
00:10:16.400 --> 00:10:18.619 charles hannah: Oh, thank you. It's honor to be here.
00:10:19.550 --> 00:10:22.939 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: So, Charles, I want to begin by
00:10:23.740 --> 00:10:32.810 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: having you to kind of talk with me a little bit about what inspired you to open a bookstore in the first place.
00:10:33.490 --> 00:10:36.170 charles hannah: Hmm. Okay.
00:10:36.410 --> 00:10:46.870 charles hannah: We'll give an honor and thanks and praises to ones who came before us give an honor and praises to the elements and principles, and keep us going forward. I start with that.
00:10:47.250 --> 00:11:05.250 charles hannah: Uh! I have always been a lifelong reader, I was forced to become a reader by my mother. Um, I say that really being serious because she knew that being single mom living in the projects
00:11:05.260 --> 00:11:09.399 charles hannah: uh only child that I needed some company,
00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:18.630 charles hannah: so what she would do with me is, take me everywhere with her, and I would have to have something to read,
00:11:19.010 --> 00:11:26.419 charles hannah: and it would normally be a comic book, or some sports card, or something that I thought was fun,
00:11:27.410 --> 00:11:29.000 charles hannah: and
00:11:29.310 --> 00:11:41.720 charles hannah: that's where the momentum began. But what it really inspired me to open, I should say, would inspire my wife because my wife gave this vision. This is her mesh connect. Uh, this is her purpose
00:11:41.730 --> 00:12:11.380 charles hannah: uh, and and it's always has been mined to. But a business model like this, because we there's been a void in our community of about twelve years, where we had no access to black books, where we could walk into a store and look around and pick something off the shelf that wasn't there importantly for about twelve years. So that was really the inspiration to. So we can get our books again, because me and my wife would take trips out of town and fill up suitcases and spend time at other people's bookstores. So
00:12:11.390 --> 00:12:26.419 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we wanted to bring a book sort of Portland, So that was our inspiration. And you know, Charles, you're saying something that's really important here, because when I think about um, even those ads about reading is fundamental. I remember as a child,
00:12:26.430 --> 00:12:45.910 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: the the whole purpose of that was to get young people involved and to get them reading. And just as you say, your mother wanted to give you something to inspire you, and something to keep you company, you know, while you were uh with her, or or if you were alone, or whatever the case may be,
00:12:45.920 --> 00:13:04.440 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: because reading does take us to another world, and as you're describing um, you know a little bit of your your childhood. It could take you somewhere other than growing up in the projects as well right. And what I think is so interesting about reading, especially as I was
00:13:04.450 --> 00:13:17.579 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: sort of sharing in the beginning how they tried to keep it from us when we were uh in enslaved people. The The truth of the matter is, the whole writing and hieroglyphics started
00:13:17.590 --> 00:13:31.559 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: in the Egyptian culture. So it started with this, but it's interesting how things sort of got shifted around a little bit, and the narrative began to be told differently. Right?
00:13:31.570 --> 00:13:44.040 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It took a little bit of the the power away, so to speak. But, Charles, we actually have to take a quick break, and when we come back uh, if you could talk to us a little bit about,
00:13:44.330 --> 00:14:06.329 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know what is. What are some of the things that you um the progress of opening bookstores. What the bookstore, what has been some of the the challenges and what it's been. Some of the rewards of opening the bookstore. So we're gonna take a quick break, and we'll be back today with my guest, Charles Hannah. This is the dismantle racism show we'll be right back.
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00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:35.499 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: we're back with the dismantle Racism show my guest today is Charles Hannah, uh co-owner, a third I books and accessories. Charles, talk to me a little bit about the
00:16:35.680 --> 00:16:45.649 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: some of the challenges that you've experienced, because I've I imagine that there are challenges with just opening a black book for a period, and then Covid hit the very next year.
00:16:46.050 --> 00:17:05.110 charles hannah: Yeah, it's been really quite the journey. Um, this is our second location, Our first location we started before the pandemic, yet we took a trip to Kimet, or some people call it Egypt. Uh it is, for with Queen of for the sixteen different sites and temples and things like this, and we got back
00:17:05.119 --> 00:17:21.480 charles hannah: uh Covid was really rampant, and everything closed down a course, and they sold the building, so we had to move, and actually we were just get ready to launch our business, but we had to pull back, put it in storage kind of really in storage,
00:17:21.490 --> 00:17:31.169 charles hannah: as they say, pivot the business model more to an online model. And and things like this uh, one of the biggest challenges is
00:17:31.430 --> 00:17:33.650 charles hannah: something you led with at the start.
00:17:33.810 --> 00:17:39.609 charles hannah: Uh, and I had to break the word down to see what it really was. Uh, reading is fundamental.
00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:43.299 charles hannah: Reading is not fun.
00:17:43.370 --> 00:17:56.819 charles hannah: So that's what we're trying to our biggest challenges to make reading fun to make reading interesting again. Uh, as you alluded to. Uh,
00:17:56.970 --> 00:18:16.490 charles hannah: our ancestors were forbidding to read, you know. Eyes gouged out and shopped up all those wicked things about this obtaining information. So I'm, just looking at the word fundamental fun at the first part that does in the middle, but the mentors in the end at the end,
00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:34.670 charles hannah: so it has to lead to something. So Our challenge is to make reading fun. Our challenges to make, I would say, popular make reading sexy. To make reading uh like it means as to something. So that's one of our biggest challenges. It's not even the money. Because if I tell a parent,
00:18:34.950 --> 00:18:46.530 charles hannah: if here's here's here's here's here's not the challenge. There isn't a parent who wants to do for their child if their child wants to be a scientist, and they find a book about this like It's like parents will buy the book.
00:18:46.660 --> 00:19:00.439 charles hannah: My challenge is to find those books for the parents to buy. That's one of the biggest challenge. Another challenge is ignorance. Out here. Uh, there was a fellow came to the bookstore, and you come to our bookstore. We do have a lot of authors
00:19:00.450 --> 00:19:18.780 charles hannah: of all different backgrounds, but we highlight black and brown authors. He looks on a table. He says, Hmm, you only do a black authors. I'm like no, we do other offers, too. Then he said, Well, my favorite author is. He went to some eighteenth century white author, and we all know him, and
00:19:18.790 --> 00:19:25.849 charles hannah: and he asked me who my favorite offer was, and I told him James Baldwin, and at the same time he looked at me,
00:19:26.450 --> 00:19:44.799 charles hannah: and I think it was out of ignorance. He said he didn't know who James Baldwin was.
00:19:44.810 --> 00:19:59.270 charles hannah: Master writers out there. So one of the biggest challenges let folks know that there's black people who do write good books. Black people write award winning books, you know. So it's just to get those books out there. There's so many books out right now.
00:19:59.280 --> 00:20:14.889 charles hannah: I tell people That's ten to twelve thousand books every Tuesday that's published, you know we can't possibly have them all. But you know what books like this. You know how we found your book is is this how through the grapevine
00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:32.230 charles hannah: and things like this? So there's challenges of finding books, but I guess the rewards always outweigh the challenges for me because we're inspiring people to uh do things that's never been done before. We We are
00:20:32.410 --> 00:20:37.790 charles hannah: uh empowering our sales to be uh a problem solver in our community.
00:20:37.950 --> 00:20:42.140 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Well, it's interesting that. So so let's go back to this. Um,
00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:49.280 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: it really you're opening everyone's eyes, because even that gentleman who came in and said he didn't know James Baldwin was,
00:20:49.290 --> 00:21:17.890 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: even if he tucked his tail and ran out. I hope that it put a seed there. You know who James Baldwin is because one of the things when we're deconstructing race and deconstructing racism. Basically Um, I remember when I worked in a high school, and I was telling these groups of teachers that we have to teach more than just William Shakespeare. I remember using the word Jess Williams Shakespeare, because the English teacher went just
00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:38.520 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: William Shakespeare like Oh, my gosh! Like that, right? And I said, Yes, there are other people that we can use to teach our kids how to read and how to write. So we have this idea of what perfect writing is. We have the because even we think about what's an award winning book.
00:21:38.530 --> 00:21:58.080 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Award winning book might be something written in a completely different dialect that speaks to the heart of the people that it's serving right. And So I know that one of the things, though, and i'd love for you to tell us how things changed in your bookstore,
00:21:58.240 --> 00:22:10.080 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: particularly after George Floyd was murdered your area. It is predominantly a white area correct.
00:22:14.780 --> 00:22:19.850 charles hannah: Our bookstore was in place before George Floyd.
00:22:20.410 --> 00:22:30.669 charles hannah: We positioned ourselves as always as a business to be able to supply information to people who need it. We consider our bookstores like a trading outpost.
00:22:31.250 --> 00:22:35.749 charles hannah: Uh It's like you say. If you were lost in the desert,
00:22:36.210 --> 00:22:40.030 charles hannah: and you were looking for whatever you resource you need.
00:22:40.130 --> 00:22:43.819 charles hannah: And over the horizon you've seen our blinking sign.
00:22:43.970 --> 00:23:00.520 charles hannah: There was some. We want some sort of Okay, this might be the place where I can find my what I need to carry my journey on. So we're like a a trading post. But after the murder of George Floyd and all the civil unrest and uprises, and
00:23:00.530 --> 00:23:11.549 charles hannah: and Portland was very peculiar because we kept it going up here. Folks kept it going. It was on the National News, and it was very isolated. Incidents and very small contain, but
00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:21.839 charles hannah: folks still kept the story going, which i'm glad they did. What our bookstore gave was an opportunity for people to come in and talk and meet,
00:23:21.970 --> 00:23:28.269 charles hannah: not so much about George Floyd, not so much about the civil unrest, but to have conversations.
00:23:28.340 --> 00:23:42.450 charles hannah: Uh. Our Portland is on the map, as probably as one of the places that people visit from all around the country, and we knew this right away we took up. We have a big map. When you come into our store you have a chance to put a pin on the map of where you come from around the country.
00:23:42.930 --> 00:23:48.579 charles hannah: We've had people from every State about seven countries visit our store,
00:23:48.810 --> 00:23:50.030 charles hannah: and
00:23:50.240 --> 00:24:02.779 charles hannah: it's one story. Just this really interest me about how we need to do things more like this. It was a white couple from Wisconsin. They were on vacation. They came into the store,
00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:04.310 charles hannah: and
00:24:04.350 --> 00:24:05.930 charles hannah: they're kind of hesitant.
00:24:06.090 --> 00:24:07.709 charles hannah: It looked around
00:24:07.770 --> 00:24:26.570 charles hannah: and they asked the question. It was a simple question about what's good and what's hot and all that stuff. And so we started having a conversation. At the end of the conversation, she said, This is the first time she's ever had a conversation with somebody who didn't look like her in her entire life like Wow!
00:24:26.800 --> 00:24:36.969 charles hannah: And I say that to remind people there's pockets of people who don't talk to black people who don't talk to white people, not because they don't because they they're just not in proximity,
00:24:36.980 --> 00:24:52.579 charles hannah: or when they do talk to somebody black or brown. It's on a transactional basis. Thank you. How much is this make? You have a good day, all that transactional stuff. But sit down. Conversation about a topic
00:24:52.590 --> 00:25:09.249 charles hannah: where no one gets kinda angry or upset. But you sharing of information, sharing of story. They had never done that before, and our bookstore gave them an opportunity to not ask the probing questions, but ask the questions they need to be answered.
00:25:09.320 --> 00:25:37.689 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: That's right. And And, Charles, I want to just say something about that as we, because as we talk about um conversations into virtual dialogue, sometimes there are basic things that people want to know about one another, and we have to create that safe space for to be able to do that. And I believe that when people walk into your book store, even though they're the books are by black and brown people with the majority.
00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:42.059 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I think the atmosphere is inviting.
00:25:42.070 --> 00:26:00.679 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Have this conversation because you have to be able to share with people what the book is about. You don't just buy these random books, and don't know anything about it. So you are actually bridging the racial divide in the work that you do. I know that. Um,
00:26:00.810 --> 00:26:12.790 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: there's also. And I want to talk about this in a in a bit. This This idea of cultural culture armor. But you in Portland you are the racial divine. As a matter of fact.
00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:31.089 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Um, I you you and I know some mutual people. Um. Mutual white people in particular, who have talked with, who who who really kind of helped to introduce us to one another right? We know that those people are doing some critical work, as it relates to dismantling,
00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:54.749 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and that, and that the conversations that we have with them is very useful. So I want to thank you for the work that you're doing, and for being both. And in this bookstore and and i'm sorry that Michelle is not with us. But the vision that she followed that was placed on her by God and the ancestors to um to To do this because
00:26:54.760 --> 00:27:17.930 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: I want this to be an inspiration to other folks to who want to start a business or who want to do uh something magnificent like you're doing. You're doing it where the odds would say, no don't do it because there won't be enough people interested, and that's proven to be false. That is true. Thank you for saying that, sister, because you're right we are in a
00:27:17.940 --> 00:27:27.989 charles hannah: we're like ten percent, Not even ten percent of the population here in Oregon, You know, Portland is real small. Uh, we are in the largest, widest city in America.
00:27:28.870 --> 00:27:41.769 charles hannah: Uh, what we're trying to do is show people that you can be unashamedly, unapologetically black and still embrace your humanity in loving the planet Love and
00:27:41.850 --> 00:28:00.779 charles hannah: the bees, eleven people loving water, all those things to contribute to make this a better place. Um, I kind of tell people. I i'm really stuck in history because that has history, builds my foundation of facts where I can keep. Continue to grow on, and things like this.
00:28:00.790 --> 00:28:05.440 charles hannah: Uh I I stopped arguing about a lot of things like now like
00:28:05.450 --> 00:28:35.260 charles hannah: uh, I can tell you right now that African people invented writing, So we've been writing books for a long time. I can tell you by scientific evidence that we invented paper, the pin. So we've been writing a long time for me myself. I have gained the skill of reading the hieroglyphs. I can write the hieroglyphs. I can use those ancient language and stories and build them forward, but At the same time I want to take the new stories of people
00:28:35.270 --> 00:28:41.129 charles hannah: and authors and make sure they available for people in our bookstore, because what one thing is happened
00:28:41.530 --> 00:28:45.320 charles hannah: is our bookstore set up where books will find you.
00:28:45.330 --> 00:29:15.319 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You know it's you won't. Come into our bookstore and run to the fiction section, or we'll get lost in a Sci-fi section. Well, here it is You'll find the Sci-fi books but along the way. Tony Morrison will say, Hi to you, Octavia Butler away to you. He has your own place. Well, Charles, we we do have to take a quick break. But you know you just
00:29:15.330 --> 00:29:37.700 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: reminded me of James Baldwin, because James Bold, when said We're trapped in our history, and our history is back in us, and it's about what we decide to do with that awakening, and I understand how deeply connected we are with our history when we come back, Charles, I do want to talk about this idea of cultural armor, and how books can be used to equip that.
00:29:37.710 --> 00:29:43.179 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Uh with that. So we're gonna take a quick break. We'll be right back with my guest today, Charles Hannah,
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00:31:44.080 --> 00:31:56.409 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're back with my guest today, Charles Hannah and Charles before the break. I was asking you about this idea of cultural armor, how how to uh books
00:31:56.420 --> 00:32:09.500 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: uh inform us, or equip us to have this cultural armor that we need to kind of product per protect and guide us in this world. Okay? Well, let me tease that a little bit. Um.
00:32:09.770 --> 00:32:15.060 charles hannah: Books give us strength. Books give us information. Um.
00:32:15.330 --> 00:32:26.289 charles hannah: One thing with children in the literacy. What has proven. The only difference between high achieving children and children who don't achieve is the amount of words in between they have
00:32:26.550 --> 00:32:44.659 charles hannah: so and as far as an adults. Uh. They've been in a conversation with somebody, and the conversation is real short. They don't have a lot of things to talk about It's more likely because they don't read a lot. You know It's not saying they can't read and things like this. So when it comes to cultural armor
00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:50.090 charles hannah: and being who you are Uh! This is saying of knowledge, Know thyself.
00:32:50.240 --> 00:33:07.000 charles hannah: No, by itself was so important that in ancient Kimet it was written on entrances of the temple. So when you came into the building you you looked up, and you see no by itself, and it's talking about knowing who you are as an individual
00:33:07.070 --> 00:33:10.849 charles hannah: knowing your own thing to do. And there's a good
00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:30.950 charles hannah: a quote from a book that kind of leads me for his quotes from a book That kind of helped me to hear me going, and it's a book One one or more popular books called Thinking Grow Rich, you know I was thinking, grow rich from a back choice. But this is from the polling Here, he says, tell the world what you tend to do, but first show it.
00:33:31.050 --> 00:33:40.900 charles hannah: See if I told everybody I was gonna build a bookstore people that. Oh, yeah, yeah, yes, Nice idea. And it probably wouldn't have been done
00:33:41.080 --> 00:33:52.419 charles hannah: so now, So now you can walk inside of the bookstore. And here's the second part to that is, there are no limitations to the mind except those we acknowledge.
00:33:52.750 --> 00:34:01.290 charles hannah: Yes, and so what that does? It helps me prepare my brain to know that I can achieve anything. Now, here's a point.
00:34:01.830 --> 00:34:03.859 charles hannah: When I was over an ancient chemical
00:34:04.190 --> 00:34:24.089 charles hannah: and the Giza plateau. I put my hand on the Great Pyramid. Actually, we went inside of the Great Pyramid. Actually, we went inside of the Kings chamber. It had a great experience. So we were inside of these things that were built by African people. It's so amazingly they can't even take it apart,
00:34:24.100 --> 00:34:34.089 charles hannah: because if they could take it apart it would be took it apart. So they build something that we can't even imagine now. But we can still see it every day.
00:34:34.100 --> 00:35:03.770 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: It's one of the seven ones of the world, and I think it's so amazing because, even as I was talking about the the the enslavers keep us from learning how to read and to write. I was thinking about the fact that we've made it even before we knew anything about reading and writing. Our our divine selves knew how to construct and to do these amazing things like the Pyramids, and like the So it really just goes to show that
00:35:03.780 --> 00:35:23.430 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: even when you try to destroy us, even when you try to take it away, that that the divineness of us, that our sacred cells are more powerful than we can even imagine. And so I love the fact that it says, Know thyself, because if we know the power that we have inside of us.
00:35:23.440 --> 00:35:37.180 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: There's nothing that anyone can do to take that away from us, you know. I I i'm thinking about as you as you're talking about. Uh, you know, Kimmet, and you're talking about uh this just the the ancient
00:35:37.190 --> 00:35:57.209 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: uh hieroglyphics and pyramids, and all that, as a Hiller comes to mind who wrote reawakening of the African mind. Right? Just the idea of the more we know, the more knowledge we have, the more empowered we are. And I think that that's one of the things that you're talking about with this cultural armor
00:35:57.220 --> 00:36:07.119 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that we have, this, this, this sort of shield around that that protects us from the outside world, and that also empowers us.
00:36:07.130 --> 00:36:27.790 charles hannah: And there's two symbols that we really gravitate to that. Actually, people are starting to really gravitate to the first one is is a symbol that I usually wear every day is Yes, now this is the most populous symbol that you could find. In came it. It was so. I think our ancestors wanted to know this similar, because it's written everywhere,
00:36:27.800 --> 00:36:42.990 charles hannah: and it means life life. Speak in life, and it's representation of the of whatever, but what you can go in that deep. Okay. But another simple is the I of Haru or our our logo.
00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:58.010 charles hannah: It's a I that's pointed left or the right you put on this way. You look at it. One means all encompassing, and one means of there will sharp vision, real, clear, intentional, sharp vision of what we need to have.
00:36:58.020 --> 00:37:25.149 charles hannah: I wear this as part of my armor. Uh You see, my my cultural gear is part of my armor, and what this does. It tells people from the outside that Hey, this guy's got something on that is interesting, you know. So people will ask people to see. But what it gives off is a as a feeling of culture with me myself, because black designer, or things, I try to wear things that kind of equip me with some
00:37:25.170 --> 00:37:28.850 charles hannah: I can talk about where they came from, or what it does for me
00:37:28.870 --> 00:37:44.369 charles hannah: uh my my jewelry, my amulets, what everything. And so that's part of the first layer that you see. I'm gonna say the second layer. The first layer is me. The second layer is what I wear. The third layer will be definitely the books that I bring to the puzzle
00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:59.519 charles hannah: about anything, and how to shape my mindset how to shape my vision, because I always want to be true to who I am and to my people are, and of people, and to who my people were, and to who my people? It is. So it's that point.
00:37:59.530 --> 00:38:07.180 charles hannah: It's not about trying to be this cultural representative. It's to let other folks know that this do knows this stuff,
00:38:07.190 --> 00:38:35.610 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: but but I think it's about being authentically who you are, because for so long when we've entered into uh, particularly white spaces, we've had to be mindful of what we were or put on, Or am I looking to Afrocentricate? Blah blah, blah! And And you know it's so interesting because I can remember um, even as a graduate student when I would go and teach classes. And this was at a predominantly
00:38:35.620 --> 00:38:48.599 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: white university. I had to think about what I put on, and I hated it. I wanted to walk in what I wanted to walk in with, but I also knew
00:38:48.750 --> 00:39:09.810 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: that if I were going into the space to teach a group of students. They had to be able to hear me first for a passing a judgment on on who I am as an individual. Now, of course, I show up how I show up, because i'm just. You know something happens with age, but also I have a different
00:39:09.820 --> 00:39:33.139 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: uh practice. Now i'm doing something differently, I mean. Obviously, if i'm talking about dismantling racism people pretty much expect me. However, I show up. It's out how I show up right. But I want us to understand something in this, this, this culture of white supremacy. What that said. There are places that if you walked in with this on.
00:39:33.150 --> 00:39:55.769 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: There's there's something that happens for folks, and it makes them feel uncomfortable. Sometimes folks have to examine their own stuff, because, while it might make them feel uncomfortable. It's giving you your cultural armor, and I think that that's beautiful. It's grounding you and who you are. I want to ask you um,
00:39:55.980 --> 00:40:01.820 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: you know, on another question in terms of just thinking about um
00:40:02.580 --> 00:40:16.289 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: all of the things that have happened to us, you know you talk about your bookstore being a way of healing. Basically, my body and soul is a way of connecting with all of that. Um, How?
00:40:16.660 --> 00:40:23.509 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: What other sort of um healing modalities they help to kind of generate.
00:40:23.690 --> 00:40:29.100 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: You know this this uh strength and purpose in the black culture.
00:40:29.620 --> 00:40:44.090 charles hannah: If you step into the bookstore at twenty-five, eighteen, southeast, thirty, third, right here in Portland, Oregon. You're going to experience a couple of things one thing you're going to experience right off. Is that it's going to smell different than any other store that you're going to step in today, because we burn in, since
00:40:44.120 --> 00:41:01.689 charles hannah: we burn the the instance that takes you back to Big Momma's house. It's been since that takes you back to home, and since that I wish I can burn this on my job. That type of stuff. We don't have. Some say, some incense. And next thing you're gonna see is you're gonna hear something that you'd never hear in any other bookstores,
00:41:02.300 --> 00:41:18.759 charles hannah: smooth jazz, R. And B. Some reggae, some black voices, no voices. But you will not hear the elevator Music will not hear that. Another thing that we're going to affect you with is the vision you're going to come in right away,
00:41:18.770 --> 00:41:24.289 charles hannah: and this is where the breaking part is, for a lot of folks is because some folks walk into the bookstore, and we know who you are.
00:41:24.670 --> 00:41:38.339 charles hannah: If you look around and you'll look to the tempt to find yourself, anyway. So if you're a white person, you'll try to find yourself, and there's no pitches of white people anywhere in our bookstore. That's not by plan. This is who we are. Uh,
00:41:38.470 --> 00:41:40.310 charles hannah: at the same time,
00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:59.680 charles hannah: if you're not comfortable with that fact, that, being surrounded by blackness, you will leave right away, and folks do just that folks come in our bookstore and look at one rack, and it says, Okay, thank you. Have a good day. I'm like, wow, I've never been to a bookstore, just took out one rack and just left. So it's that feeling of
00:41:59.890 --> 00:42:01.089 charles hannah: comfort.
00:42:01.370 --> 00:42:19.490 charles hannah: And I tell, for I told somebody this the other day, I says, I says, when you go to another business today, see if you see any of the black people on their walls, and then then count the number of businesses you walk into to see if there's any representation of black and brown people on your walls. If there's not
00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:30.200 charles hannah: ask the question, Why? Because we use a lot of money there to spend a lot of money there because it goes back to the spike lead movie, you know. Do the right thing. We're spending money in here. We need representation,
00:42:30.210 --> 00:42:44.449 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and it's so interesting because one of the things I do in in the classes that I teach. I tell my white participants um, and I tell all of my participants. But since the majority of them white, it's like because I go around, look at the tapestry.
00:42:44.460 --> 00:43:13.869 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Look and see who's represented, and who's not represented on the walls. Actually, There's a phrase for it. It's called micro uh environmental microaggressions right? That when you walk into a place, and all you see is white people. There is actually telling you your place. So it's interesting that um, just like I believe it was Tony Morrison. People said, Well, you don't write
00:43:13.880 --> 00:43:23.449 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: with white characters so, for she's like that enough. Those books are out there right. She's made no apologies for right
00:43:23.460 --> 00:43:34.489 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: black characters and writing about her life. And it's interesting that folks want us to change our stuff to be accommodating. Also have to take um
00:43:34.530 --> 00:43:52.090 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: another break, and when we return from the break i'd love for you just to talk about why, it's important for folks to shop at Black on uh bookstore so, and we'll be right back to your answer to that. This is the dismantle Racism show. We'll be right back.
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00:45:51.990 --> 00:46:01.980 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: We're back with my guest today, Charles Hannah Charles, before. Um we get into. Why people should support black owned bookstores
00:46:02.530 --> 00:46:22.730 charles hannah: a little bit about who some of the guest star that you've had to come out? Because you host authors to do book talks, and you know you've had an opportunity to meet some wonderful that are out there. Yeah, that is, It's part of the one of the rewards of the job, I think, is is meeting people that
00:46:23.070 --> 00:46:31.480 charles hannah: that you wanted me. You know this great people out here. Uh, but far as authors and book writers and stuff like this,
00:46:31.610 --> 00:46:48.860 charles hannah: I I put all y'all in the same boat. You all are amazing, because you can put your words down on paper and tell a story. Uh, we've had everybody from local authors who published one book, and we've had local offers who publish award winning books uh
00:46:48.870 --> 00:47:06.420 charles hannah: Keisha Jose Fisher's book. No God like the mother. She won Oregon book award for two thousand and twenty uh for fiction. Uh the sister wrote a powerful book, but it's during Covid epidemic, the pandemic. So what we did as a bookstore we had to have her come in as our first
00:47:06.590 --> 00:47:21.009 charles hannah: guest offer we had ever, and in local we we have a David Walker, David F. Walker, who's a comic book, brilliant writer who wrote a Eisen award winning the black panthographic novel from Portland.
00:47:21.020 --> 00:47:38.609 charles hannah: You know he's teamed up with some people around in the industry at the same time this summer we've had uh we hosted a brother Reshma Minneigan uh New York Times, bestselling off the grandmother's hands. New book, The Quaking of America. We had a chance to host him do a great event,
00:47:38.620 --> 00:47:51.190 charles hannah: you know. Here I am thinking we've read these books, and now we talking to the people and things like this uh, you know, when you come out uh I was looking at our calendar just for
00:47:51.610 --> 00:48:01.340 charles hannah: we got about fifteen events before the end of the year that that's going to be so powerful uh with
00:48:01.760 --> 00:48:11.980 charles hannah: uh this, Some people that I've always admired from the the founding found founding member of the Portland
00:48:12.260 --> 00:48:36.680 charles hannah: panthers. You know he comes to my bookstore Every day, Mister Mr. Ford. Mr. Ken Ford comes to the bookstore about every week. He's one of the founding members of the Black Panther party in the sixties. Then I get a message yesterday that Erica Huggings, the National Member National leader of the Black Panther party, is going to come to the bookstore. So we're getting traction of getting folks in.
00:48:36.690 --> 00:48:52.649 charles hannah: Uh. We just got name the second best bookstore in Portland. I'm. Really excited, Thank you. And people obviously. Well, who's the first bookstore? Why say this? Do you know who beat Michael Phelps and Usain boat for twelve years?
00:48:53.220 --> 00:49:01.670 charles hannah: No one beat them in twelve years and Olympics. So someone came on the second place and has a silver medal that no one knows about.
00:49:01.680 --> 00:49:30.540 charles hannah: I'm that person i'm so happy, so grateful to be honored even in the company of those names I mentioned before, even in the bookstore, who's number one, you know. I'm so happy and grateful that we are able to do things that we didn't think was possible. But we didn't set no limits on our mind, though. Um, that's because you you have that cultural armor to tell you who you are. We still have a mission to finish. We still have a story to tell.
00:49:30.550 --> 00:49:42.679 charles hannah: There's still books who needed to get out there in people's hands. Uh, I have a mantra every day. That I kind of say to myself, is today i'm going is is today the day I sell the book that's going to change the world.
00:49:42.770 --> 00:49:59.059 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Yes, yes, and that's a powerful powerful question. What I want to be sure, though, before our time runs out, tell us why people should support black bookstores and how that way to support.
00:49:59.070 --> 00:50:19.650 charles hannah: Why support Black bookstores? Because we're black business. We inspire the future. We generate tax revenue, we employ people we give back into the community. We're going to bring you books that you probably never thought of before. We're going to supply a a black business model because we try to empower other black folks to do business with us.
00:50:19.660 --> 00:50:31.120 charles hannah: Uh It's very important that you don't even have to spend money to support black business, share their page, share their story, visit the website. Third ibag dot com uh
00:50:31.310 --> 00:50:49.540 charles hannah: some follow us online. Give us some feedback, but it's really important to use your money. And I tell people this and these times we have to be careful and budgeted our money, so you can budget your liberation right now. You can set aside fifty to sixty dollars and find some books that would change your life.
00:50:49.550 --> 00:51:04.860 charles hannah: This book, Afro Guys meaningless to Guy to live in the less kind of changed my life because I had so much access. And so that was a a thing that our answers really to have a lot here in America to celebrate access. Now,
00:51:05.010 --> 00:51:16.940 charles hannah: as a upwardly mobile African American, I can pretty much buy the things that I want. But i'm only trying to buy the things that I need right now, and stuff like this. So we need your support
00:51:16.970 --> 00:51:36.960 charles hannah: to come up, lift back business so we can do the bigger job right now. We're having a fundraiser, so we're trying to raise funds to enable us to get a book mobile, so we can move out in the community. We're trying to build access into a a better ramp, into a ramp into our store. We're doing free libraries. Things like that, so
00:51:36.970 --> 00:51:51.620 charles hannah: we like to say, increase the access, make more books available to children and families and and adults, but at the same time proper as a business model for others to inspire by. I tell black folks to either have the service a product
00:51:51.630 --> 00:52:01.140 charles hannah: or some type of craft to give back here in this society right now, because it's really needed right now. So when you buy from us, it empowers us to do better things
00:52:01.150 --> 00:52:31.140 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: well, and and you know what i'm also hearing. So a lot of times I write, especially as i'm teaching folks will say, Well, who should I donate To What should I do? Because there are lots of organizations doing things, and i'll say, you know what this is. One of the ways in which we can create racial equity, to be able to help black business owners out to increase, because we want to increase economically uh the wealth in black communities. Well, this is one way
00:52:31.150 --> 00:52:59.850 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: of supporting it. Find a black owned business. But the beauty of of supporting a black on bookstore is because you can support by donating, but you can also support by getting the books, reading the books and changing your life, changing your perspective of black people, of people of color, and also you can help to inspire other young people in the way that you're saying so for folks out there who are always wondering What can I do
00:52:59.860 --> 00:53:11.080 charles hannah: to dismantle racism. This is one of the things that you can do to support. Third, I bookstore, and people are doing, which is real, real Cool is they're talking to their employers.
00:53:11.090 --> 00:53:39.629 charles hannah: They want the workplace to change. So they've identified books. They started book clubs in the workplace, and it says we can find a Black Home bookstore to supply these books with you by employers, saying, Wow! We never knew there was one out there. We have billion dollar corporations coming to our small bookstore getting small quantities books at the same time. This billion Dollar Corporation just yesterday ordered one hundred books from us.
00:53:39.640 --> 00:53:58.040 charles hannah: So right now we're starting to get some interest in school districts. Say, you can get all our books for us all our Texas. Yeah. So we're expanding our reach and letting folks know that we are here. We're not going anywhere, but the same time their patron is really helps us.
00:53:58.050 --> 00:54:16.740 charles hannah: I'm going to further our mission to, because we started with one small create milk creative books. Now we have a store, you know, and and and how we became a store is out of response from the people we were just setting up at a vending at a church at a table,
00:54:16.750 --> 00:54:28.279 charles hannah: and the questions were: Do you guys have a store? Do you guys have a store. This is on the first vending event. So we do right away. The community needed a store
00:54:28.290 --> 00:54:45.480 charles hannah: that in a book store that they can walk into hopefully. At one point you'll be able to sit down a little bit kind of small right now, but you can stand and look around and feel happy and proud. I would say, this is so exciting when black people come step inside our bookstore
00:54:45.490 --> 00:54:58.840 charles hannah: at the same time it's real sad is when they cry, because we haven't had anything like this in such a long time. So that cry of beauty, of grace, and they finally found them a place where they can say,
00:54:59.470 --> 00:55:07.939 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Well, I say that I I think, rather than seeing it. As said, I see it as joy that they come home.
00:55:07.950 --> 00:55:35.620 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: They've come home, and you've created that space for them to come home. Um! And so what I want to say to our listening audience today as we're preparing to wrap up any book that you need. Welcome to your local bookstore and say your local black bookstore, and say, Can you get this for me now? I do believe in supporting local businesses in general, but you could also go to your local white bookstores and say, Hey,
00:55:35.630 --> 00:55:56.309 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: get this book for me right? That's important to know to, because not every town has um a black bookstore. We'll walk it to your local. We'll try to say, go to somebody independently owned. That's okay great. I mighty independently own You'll support them if you can't find. And I tell people this:
00:55:56.320 --> 00:56:14.889 charles hannah: if there's a book that that a big corporation has that's going to change the world by that book and change the world. Stop waiting for that book to come on sale to change the world. Sometimes you need to get it and just change the world. Don't get it from the big corporation because it's two dollars less.
00:56:15.240 --> 00:56:29.510 charles hannah: That that's I I don't like that part don't. Tell me, don't don't tell me that the big corporation has it for twenty-four dollars and i'm selling for twenty-six. I'm gonna tell you I can't compete with the price margin of a billion dollar corporation.
00:56:29.520 --> 00:56:57.869 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: But if you and not only that, Charles go, they can not buy a cup of coffee or donut it, Duncan donuts, and go ahead. I will. But, Charles, we have to end our so i'm so excited to come. Charles and i'm so appreciative for you being on the show today. I want to thank my listeners. Please go out and support your local book stores independently on bookstores, and please check out.
00:56:57.880 --> 00:57:21.479 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: Third I bookstore, because you can also order online as well. And so I invite you to stay tuned for the conscious consultant hour with Sam. Leave it with where he helps you to walk through life with the greatest of ease and joy may today you tap into that sacred part of you that allows you to make choices that will manifest your greatness and the greatness of those around. You know that we're all one,
00:57:21.490 --> 00:57:33.329 Rev. Dr. Terrlyn Curry Avery: and we exist because of one another, make it a priority to share love, hope, compassion, and peace. Today be well. Be safe. Be encouraged until next time, Bye, for now
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