Benjamin Ashford|Inside Protagonist Black, a pop-up shop celebrating diverse books and cocktail pairings

Independent bookstores are Benjamin Ashfordthe heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way, and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities.

Each week we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations.

This week we have Protagonist Black in Fontana, California!

What’s your store’s story?

Protagonist Black is a Black owned mobile bookstore specializing in culturally diverse books and cocktail pairings. We operate out of one 10x10 pop-up space, and (more recently) a 10x20 space within the African American Advisory Alliance in Pomona, California. We live in the Inland Empire of Southern California in an area severely lacking in indie bookshops, so we decided to help meet the need.

Check out: USA TODAY's Independent Bookstores Map

What makes your independent bookstore unique?

We have been extremely intentional about the design of our pop-up space. When our customers shop with us, whether it is at a weekly farmers market or a special event, they are transported to a cozy brick and mortar like space. Folks trust us with their multigenerational reading journeys, and we have been able to create community in ways we never could have forecasted when this bookshop was just an idea. Even crazier, we've done it all from under a pop-up tent with a tightly curated collection of books exclusively by BIPOC authors and creators.

What's your favorite section in your store?

Our "Cannon Events for the Culture" section features classic Black literature, but we take a nonconventional approach to how we define "classics." By placing urban lit next to W.E.B. Du Bois, we honor the multifaceted experience that is Black artistic genius and culture. Folks remember where and who they were the first time they read "The Coldest Winter Ever" by Sister Souljah in the same way that they remember "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou. We celebrate that.

What book do you love to recommend to customers and why?

"Seven Days in June" by Tia Williams is my gold standard recommendation. It is approachable for folks who are getting out of a book slump or just getting into reading for pleasure, but unique enough to captivate your favorite bookworm. It takes a classic romance trope and breathes life, believability, and steam into the story in a way that I believe will withstand the test of time.

What book do you think deserves more attention and why?

"The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton healed my inner child who really wanted to be part of the boy who lived's story, but couldn't quite find a fit. Cultures from around the world are celebrated for their unique characteristics in a way that is respectful and exciting. Plus, magic! Kids deserve this book.

What books/series are you most excited about coming out in the next few months and why?

"The Blood Debts" series by Terry J Benton-Walker. I just read the ARC of the second book in the series and it is *chef's kiss*. The books have everything from cold cases to romance to necromancy (and its unfortunate side effects). Page turner is the understatement of the century. I can't wait to see how the story develops.

Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important?

Local independent bookstores are the tastemakers of freedom. We are often the only opportunity people have to stumble onto the books that aren't necessarily what "Big Bookselling" wants them to see. Indie bookstores are places where community is born and camaraderie is established over simply complex questions like, "Hey, what'd you think of this one?" Our shop isn't big, so we may not have every single book you see, but I guarantee that we will have the book you need. Our collection is lovingly curated with our specific community in mind, so it feels like home for a lot of folks.