Today we’d like to introduce you to Malik Muhammad.
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 books because children are 100 percent of our future. We also specialize in conscious, hard to find, hot and best sellers of today. Malik Books has served the Los Angeles community since 1990. 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.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
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 most struggling challenges. This pandemic has been a challenge to almost everyone in some form. For six months, our brick and mortar has been closed because of the Mandate by California health guidelines for indoor Malls. We didn’t know how we were going to pay our mounting debts, creditors and rent. We started a GoFundMe to help during these challenging times. https://gofund.me/a8db77a9
In addition to the Baldwin Hills Mall being closed the owners of the Mall wanted to sale the mall. This was the perfect storm, two challenges over lapping one another. The public was told a rumor that the new potential owners wanted to close the mall and build residentially homes. This caused the Los Angeles community to think for some reason the mall was permanently closed. The deal fell out of escrow. When the mall reopened just before the holidays, it was like a ghost town. Still to this day people think the Baldwin hills mall is still closed. From devastation to elevation. Sometimes in life, you have to be pro-active instead of re-active. We decided it was best to be pro-active 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 store in the midst of the pandemic. Overcoming this challenge has brought joy to so many in the community. We can not thank the community, customers and anyone who supported our mission enough, Malik Books is very grateful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Since 1990 Malik Books has served the Los Angeles community with books and cultural gifts. Malik Books, your friendly community bookstore. Our mission has always been to use books to educate and uplift the community. No one lives on an island alone. We all stand on the shoulders of others who helped us along the way. I have had many people in my life who has help elevate my growth and success in all areas of my life. We stand on the should of our ancestors. 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 also has a website malikbooks.com that ships nationwide. 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 is currently during a book drive with Equity Through Literacy to give 300 books to kids that live in underserved areas of Los Angeles. https://www.crusaderpraisescott.com/
What makes you happy?
Providing for my family and serving the community with books to build a generation of change.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- 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:
Malik Muhammad
