Jessica Tilles, Author & Publisher

On January 22, 2008, in a mass email to all of its customers, authors, publishers, etc., Simba Sana, Founder and CEO of Karibu Books, dropped the bomb on the African American community. Effective February 10, 2008, Karibu Books, a popular cultural institution in the African American community, will close its doors to the masses of people who loved, supported and adored what it stood for: Bringing you books written by and about African Americans, 24/7.

It took me a couple of days to digest it all. I feel empty, very empty. I feel like I have no place to go…I feel like sucking on my thumb, I want to be coddled. I kind of feel like I felt the day I lost my mother on November 15, 2007. However, not to that degree, but there’s still this emptiness. My mother was my biggest supporter. It was devastating when I lost her. And, I will go so far as to say, I feel devastated losing Karibu Books too. Does any of this make sense? Am I upset? You’re damn right I am! I feel like I’ve lost my best friend, my supporter and my literary lover. Will I be able to go on, knowing that I don’t have Karibu to lean on? Sure there are many other black bookstores an author, like myself, could turn to. However, I don’t want to! I have been spoiled rotten to the tenth degree! I want my Karibu Books. In all of my six years of being an author and publisher, I’ve never been met with so much warmth, support and love, as with Karibu Books. Not that I’m putting down other black bookstores, but let’s face it…and I’m sure other authors would concur…to sign at Karibu, or even have five books on the shelf, we didn’t have to jump through hoops like you do with the others. Ask and ye shall receive, and we did just that!

Karibu Books was more than a bookstore, they were family. I don’t know of any other bookstore where I could pick up the phone and call the owner on his celly  just to shoot the breeze. Simba gave me my first credit card processor. Better known by many as the knuckle buster. You know that bluish-green American Express metal contraption you push back and forth to make the imprint of the card on the ancient credit slips? Yeah, that’s the one. I’ll always cherish it. There wasn’t anything I couldn’t call and ask for, and didn’t receive it. Yes, they spoiled the hell out of this author.

HEAR ME LOUD AND CLEAR literary world, Jessica Tilles and Xpress Yourself Publishing LOVES Karibu Books. Always have, and always will. I pray that one day, Karibu will make a comeback! And, when it does, we’ll be sittin’ right here, waitin’.

Owners: Simba and Yao

I will miss you:  Lee MacDonald (the best damn events coordinator in the business, all around sweet sister; always greeted me with a huge smile and a hug); Sunny Sana (what will I do without my Sunshine? It’s been difficult for the past few months, I’ve missed your perky phone calls. But, as Whitney Houston said it best, “I’ll always love you,” because my sister, they just don’t get any better than you!); Simba Sana (what can I say? Your continued support over the years was more than I’d received from my own family. I don’t have much to offer, if you’re ever in need, and if I have it, it’s yours!); Yao (owner and founder — what can I say? If there was ever a more peaceful soul that I’ve ever met in my life, you’re it. I remember my very first encounter with you. It was at a book event at Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD. You and I had a blast, talking and sharing viewpoints. You will sorely be missed, on the real!); store managers and employees (thank you for making my many evenings with Karibu a pleasant one. The XYP authors are forever indebted for the wonderful support you’ve given over the years!).

Karibu Books’ Staff

Well, I’ve said my good-byes. I’ll go in the corner and lick my wounds like a scorned lover.

Below is the sad news I received on January 22. I’ll miss you, Karibu, but I’ll keep it moving, with you in my heart!

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Dear Karibu Customers,

After 15 years of service within the Washington, DC metropolitan area, Karibu Books, a Black bookstore chain will be closing its doors. We sincerely thank each and every one of you for your patronage and support. We are optimistic that our mission to empower and educate through a comprehensive selection of books by and about people of African descent will continue to resonate within the communities we proudly served.

Since 1993, we have been blessed to help thousands of local, regional and national authors share their incredible stories of faith, hope, love, peace, politics and race. We can’t begin to express our gratitude for the countless authors who have graced our six stores and enriched our customers’ lives.We will be closing our Security Square (Baltimore, MD) and Forestville locations on Sunday, January 27. The remaining locations, Bowie Town Center, The Mall at Prince Georges and Iverson Mall will close on Sunday, February 10. Our Pentagon City store is already closed.Effective immediately, all inventory at all locations will be 50% off. All fixtures will also be available for purchase on February 10. See individual store managers for more information.

Again, we respectfully thank you for your loyalty, laughter and love.

Sincerely,
Simba Sana
CEO
Karibu Books