Historic Black-Owned Bookstore in Missouri Undergoes Modern Transformation by Media Startup
In Kansas City, Missouri, a significant change is underway for Willa's Books and Vinyl, a Black-owned bookstore that has been a vital resource for the local Black community. The 84-year-old founder, Willa Robinson, is retiring, but the store's mission to promote Black literacy and representation will continue.
The bookstore will be transformed into a public archive and the new headquarters of The Kansas City Defender, a media startup. This transformation will convert the bookstore into a multi-functional community space dedicated to continuing Robinson's legacy of promoting Black stories and culture.
The B-REAL Academy, a 15-week Black education initiative, will also find a home within the transformed Willa's Books and Vinyl. Led by Melissa Ferrer-Civil, the academy focuses on histories often banned or erased, aligning perfectly with Robinson's vision.
The transformed space will also support The Defender's Mutual Aid efforts, including free grocery deliveries and clothing drives. These initiatives aim to provide essential support to those in need within the community.
Nina Kerrs, a Mutual Aid organizer with The Kansas City Defender, has been working since Spring 2024 to maintain the bookstore's legacy. She emphasizes the importance of the collection, stating that visitors will not fully understand its value until they see it.
The collection at Willa's Books and Vinyl, which includes over 20,000 books, music, and art, is dedicated to the community. It has served as an essential resource for the Black community in Missouri, and this commitment will continue under the new ownership.
The transformation of Willa's Books and Vinyl is being funded by The Kansas City Defender, a nonprofit digital startup. A farewell celebration was held at the bookstore to mark its transformation and the retirement of its founder, Willa Robinson.
While details about the B-REAL Academy and Mutual Aid initiatives are not yet fully available, it is clear that they will play a significant role in the new community-focused space.
[1] Startland News. (2024). Willa's Books and Vinyl to become public archive and KC Defender headquarters. [online] Available at: https://startlandnews.com/2024/06/15/willas-books-and-vinyl-to-become-public-archive-and-kc-defender-headquarters/ [2] The Kansas City Defender. (2024). Transforming Willa's Books and Vinyl into a community-focused space. [online] Available at: https://kansascitydefender.com/2024/06/15/transforming-willas-books-and-vinyl-into-a-community-focused-space/ [3] B-REAL Academy. (2024). Black radical education for abolition and liberation. [online] Available at: https://brealacademy.org/ [4] Mutual Aid Kansas City. (2024). Our mission and initiatives. [online] Available at: https://mutualaidkansascity.org/mission-initiatives/
- The multi-functional community space, formerly Willa's Books and Vinyl, will continue to promote Black stories and culture in Kansas City, Missouri.
- The collection at the transformed Willa's Books and Vinyl includes over 20,000 books, music, and art, dedicated to the local Black community.
- The B-REAL Academy, a 15-week Black education initiative, will now be housed within the community-focused space.
- The new headquarters of The Kansas City Defender will also be located at the transformed Willa's Books and Vinyl.
- The Kansas City Defender is funding the transformation of Willa's Books and Vinyl into a public archive and community space.
- Nina Kerrs, a Mutual Aid organizer with The Kansas City Defender, has been working tirelessly to maintain the bookstore's legacy since Spring 2024.
- The B-REAL Academy, led by Melissa Ferrer-Civil, aligns perfectly with the vision of promoting histories often banned or erased.
- The new community space will support The Defender's Mutual Aid efforts, providing essential support to those in need within the community.
- The transformation of Willa's Books and Vinyl includes the conversion of the bookstore into a hub for learning, career development, and personal growth.
- The space will also cater to fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, sports, and mixed-martial-arts enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of products and services.
- The community space will encourage relationships through various events and activities, fostering a stronger bond among community members.
- The transformed Willa's Books and Vinyl will not only serve as a resource for literature and education but also as a destination for travelers interested in exploring Kansas City's vibrant Black community.
