Brighton’s only black-owned bookshop has been proclaimed bookseller of the year at a national awards ceremony.
Afrori Books in North Road won the coveted title of Individual Bookseller of the Year at the British Book Awards, also known as the Nibbies.
The shop opened in 2021 in the wake of the murder of George Floyd in the United States and became the UK’s biggest supplier of books by black authors.
Founder Carolynn Bain was motivated to open the store due to the lack of representation of people like her and her children in books in Britain.
Since opening, the store has also provided a space in the city for the black community, as well as running anti-racist workshops for children in schools across Sussex and organising several other community events and programmes.
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One customer testimonial submitted to judges of the British Book Awards said: “The first time I entered Afrori Books I nearly cried. At last, a whole bookshop - not a shelf hidden away - that embraces and celebrates black authors.”
Judges praised the store’s range of initiatives as well as its partnerships with charities, community groups and universities.
The judges said: “Carolynn has done life-affirming and absolutely essential work.
“She saw a situation and was not just a voice: she acted. She so clearly believes in how books can influence society.
“What she has achieved and continues to do just blows you away.”
In an Instagram post, Afrori Books said: “We’re grateful to have won Bookseller of the Year at the Nibbies.
“There’s still a long way to go and we want to see more diversity in these spaces, but until then we’ll keep fighting.
“Thank you to every black author and supporter who has stuck around for the ride. We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
The award is the latest national award won by the store, after winning the Bookseller FutureBook award for highly commended business just weeks after opening.
Afrori Books recently relocated to North Road after being forced to leave its site in Kensington Street due to its rent quadrupling.
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