Today we’d like to introduce you to Malik Muhammad.
Hi Malik, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
A lack of knowledge in the community about history and culture gave birth to Malik Books. Books help change my life and I want to help others change their life. Change your thoughts change your life. Changing one person at a time with books.
Malik Books is a black-owned independent bookstore that specializes in African American books, calendars, and gifts full of cultural diversity. The total African American expression of pride, cultural, and self-esteem where we give voice to the voiceless. Malik Books offers a large selection of diverse children’s books because children are 100 percent of our future. We also specialize in conscious, hard to find, hot and best sellers of today. Since 1990 Malik Books has served the Los Angeles community with books and cultural gifts. Malik Books has two locations and MalikBooks.com to serve your book needs. Located at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and Westfield Culver City Mall. Our new podcast Malik’s Bookshelf bringing a world together with books, culture and community is produced by Ryan Seacrest on iheart radio. Malik Bookshelf streams all podcast platforms. In 2022 Malik Books launched Malik’s Bookmobile to continue outreach to promote reading and education.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Malik Books has faced many challenges over the many years. But it was those obstacles that gave growth to Malik Books. After difficulties comes easy, no gain no pain, and trials purifies are all realistic metaphors that teach us about real growth whether in our personal life or business life. The more you grow the more challenges you must overcome to continue to be successful. The pandemic has been one of the most struggling challenges. This pandemic has been a challenge to almost everyone in some form.
From devastation to elevation. Sometimes in life, you must be proactive instead of reactive. We decided it was best to be proactive and not wait around to see if the sale of the mall would lead to us being closed. Malik Books decided to open a new location in the Westfield Culver City Mall aka Fox Hills Mall. Since our opening, we have been praised by so many of our customers. People have told us they need a positive story in the midst of a pandemic. Overcoming this challenge has brought joy to so many in the community. We cannot thank the community, customers and anyone who supported our mission enough, Malik Books is very grateful.
As you know, we’re big fans of Malik Books. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Malik Books give voice to the voiceless. When you walk into Malik Books it is like walking into yourself. We have had people cry and catch the holy ghost walking into our stores.
Malik Books has two locations and MalikBooks.com to serve your book needs. Located at Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and Westfield Culver City Mall. Our new podcast Malik’s Bookshelf bringing a world together with books, culture and community is produced by Ryan Seacrest on iheart radio. Malik Bookshelf streams all podcast platforms. In 2022 Malik Books launched Malik’s Bookmobile to continue outreach to promote reading and education.
Malik Books is primarily a bookstore with shelves full of children, inspirational, self-help, cultural, and best sellers of today as well as gifts full of positive affirmations. However, Malik Books extends its mission beyond the stores. Children are 100% of our future. Malik Books has partnered with Crusader Praise Scott Scholarship to provide Freshman in college scholarships. In the last five years, CPSF raised over $ 20,000 and given 18 scholarships. Malik books has also partner with schools, youth organizations and literacy organizations to promote reading. Malik Books has donated and sponsored book drives in underserved areas of Los Angeles.
Available Only at Malik Books
Limited Edition Signed Copy of Omarion New Book: UNBOTHERED: The Power of Choosing Joy
Signed Copy of Tabitha Brown Book: COOKING FROM THE SPIRIT: Easy, Delicious, and Joyful Plant-Based Inspirations
Marriage Be Hard: 12 Conversations to Keep You Laughing, Loving, and Learning with Your Partner by Kevin Fredericks and Melissa Fredericks (Signed Edition Copy)
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Purpose, Passion, Determination and Dedication.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://malikbooks.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/malikbooks/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maliksbooks/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/malik_books
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChURuJa35xPW80JFi3YN5xA
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/malik-books-los-angeles
Image Credits
Karim Saafir and Alex Johns
