The Entire Borough of the Bronx Has Only One Bookstore. Meet the Young Woman of Color Making Sure That Changes.

Activism
by Amanda Machado Jul 20, 2016

A photo posted by noëlle santos (@1st.noelle) on

There are 1.4 million people living in the Bronx, around the same population as the entire city of Phoenix. And yet, only one bookstore serves the community.

This is not a result of lack of interest. A Center for an Urban Future study found that between 2002 and 2014, there was a 225% increase in attendance at Bronx libraries. People in the Bronx want to access books, yet struggle to find spaces that allow them to do so.

Noëlle Santos wants to change that by opening an independent bookstore and wine bar named The Lit. Bar. The bookstore and bar would give residents of the Bronx a place to gather together, drink wine, and connect over literature.

Read the full story on Santos’ plan in Remezcla here.

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