Kindred Stories, a bookstore in Houston’s Third Ward, has become a popular destination for prominent Black authors to engage with a diverse audience. Despite its modest size, the shop is an important part of the community, offering a wide selection of books from a Black-owned business. Visitors can also attend readings and events featuring notable Black celebrities discussing their literary projects.
Owner Terri Hamm launched the store in September 2021 and expanded its online presence through support from the Project Row Houses’ Incubation Program, which helped her grow the business in its early stages by providing space and resources.
Manager Chaneka Williams explained that the store’s growth in hosting events is due to strategic outreach to publishers, ensuring that events focus on the authors’ works, rather than random celebrity appearances. For example, they’ve hosted actor Jay Ellis to discuss his memoir, and upcoming events will feature media personality Rickey Smiley and entertainer 50 Cent, showcasing their memoir and crime novel, respectively.
The store collaborates with both local and larger venues in Houston to bring these events to life. Williams emphasized that location and community partnerships are key factors in choosing event spaces.
While Kindred Stories isn’t the only Black-owned bookstore in Houston, Hamm views the other shops as complementary rather than competitive, as they cater to different audiences. She believes the variety of Black-owned stores reflects a growing and thriving market.
In addition to celebrity authors, Kindred Stories plans to host a range of other writers, poets, and speakers, continuing its mission to serve the community. Hamm highlighted that the bookstore offers options for different tastes and interests, affirming that Black people deserve diverse choices.
