Today we’d like to introduce you to Shakira Johnson.
Hi Shakira, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Shakira Johnson. I am an attorney, wife, mother and the owner of Brownish Books!
I have always had a love for books, especially children’s books. Combining my love for books and recognizing the importance of children seeing themselves in the books they read, I created Brownish Books with the goal of adding diverse books to children’s libraries. As a mom to two black boys, I make sure that my sons have books where they can see themselves represented as the lead character in a story. This helps them to connect better to the story, to feel validated, heard and seen, and it also fosters a love for reading!
At Brownish Books, we focus on curating children’s books featuring Black and Brown characters. Brownish Books also seeks to spotlight Black and Brown authors and illustrators who are often overlooked by mainstream publications.
We are committed to staying up-to-date with new releases, taking on the heavy lifting of researching diverse and inclusive children’s books, and then delivering beautifully wrapped and bundled books. Each book is individually wrapped (because reading is a gift) and each bundle is made to order.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I came up with the idea for Brownish Books in December 2020. To introduce people to Brownish Books, I decided to do themed, ready to sell bundles for Valentine’s Day which included three books – one book was a surprise and wrapped in valentine-themed paper. The response was overwhelming positive and we sold out of all of our Valentine’s Day bundles. A few weeks later, we officially launched on March 9, 2021.
Thankfully, it has been a relatively smooth road. I had some trouble getting our business to show up on Google searches initially, but that has since been resolved.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Brownish Books is not just for Black and Brown children. We are focused on curating book bundles for all kids. While it is important for Black and Brown children to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Equally important is the need for children to see and start to understand that the world is made up of many different types of people and to become comfortable seeing someone who looks or lives differently than they do.
Now, more than ever, there is a need for empathy and kindness. Books that feature characters with a variety of cultural experiences teach young readers about the diverse world in which they live and teaches them to have empathy for others.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Being part of a professional organization is a great way to meet potential mentors. It helps to network and connect with other like-minded people; for example, in my case, other moms who own their own businesses.
Pricing:
- Small Bundles (2-3 books) are $50
- Medium Bundles (3-5 books) are $75
- Large Bundles (5-7 books) are $105
- Extra Large Bundles (7-9 books) are $150
- Brownish Books Gift Cards starting at $25
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.brownishbooks.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brownishbooks
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brownishbooks
Image Credits:
Alyssa Hunter Photography
