Gabrielle and Danielle Davenport will open BEM this fall in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood. The bookstore cafe will feature only Black-authored works with heavy food themes. Their Kickstarter campaign raised $75,000 to support the groundbreaking venture.
The sisters launched BEM online in 2021 after developing the concept in 2019. They built their clientele through pop-ups before securing a physical location on Macon Street. The store will showcase books from The Edna Lewis Cookbook to Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
“People have told us very explicitly, ‘We need this,'” Danielle told Eater. The community response has validated their vision for Brooklyn’s first Black food bookstore.
Black Diaspora Literature Takes Center Stage in Bed-Stuy
BEM’s Macon Street location will exclusively feature Black authors and food-focused works. The curated collection includes Crystal Wilkinson’s Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts alongside classic culinary texts. Each book either focuses on cultural recipes or explores deep connections to Black culinary experiences.
The sisters chose Bed-Stuy for its rich cultural diversity and history. The neighborhood attracts Black residents from the Caribbean, Africa, and the American South. This demographic mix creates the perfect audience for their specialized bookstore concept.
The location represents more than just a business decision. It reflects the sisters’ commitment to serving a community that has long requested this type of cultural resource.
Brooklyn Public Library Program Sparks Entrepreneurial Vision
The Davenport sisters first developed their bookstore idea through Brooklyn Public Library’s PowerUP program in 2019. The entrepreneurship program provided them with tools and guidance for launching their venture. They recognized the community’s need for Black food bookstores in culturally rich neighborhoods.
Their research revealed a significant gap in the market for Black culinary literature. Traditional bookstores often lack comprehensive collections of Black food authors and cultural cookbooks. The sisters saw an opportunity to fill this void with a specialized store.
The PowerUP program gave them confidence to pursue their ambitious vision. They learned essential business skills while refining their concept for a food-focused bookstore.
Community Support Fuels $75,000 Kickstarter Success
A 2024 Kickstarter campaign provided crucial financial backing for BEM’s launch. The crowdfunding effort raised $75,000 from supporters who believed in the bookstore’s mission. Community members recognized the importance of having a dedicated space for Black culinary literature.
The fundraising success demonstrates strong demand for the bookstore’s unique concept. Backers understood that BEM would serve as more than just a retail space. The store represents a cultural hub for food enthusiasts and literature lovers alike.
However, the sisters currently lease their space rather than own it outright. Despite this arrangement, they remain optimistic about BEM’s long-term future in Bed-Stuy.
Bookstore Cafe Creates Space for Culinary Discovery and Research
“There’s just so much energy around stories,” Danielle explained about their vision for BEM. The bookstore will serve as a place for discovery and cultural exploration. They envision customers finding new authors and recipes while enjoying cafe offerings.
The space will function as a research ground for scholars studying Black culinary traditions. Authors on book tours will also use BEM as a stop for readings and discussions. The store aims to become a central gathering place for food and literature enthusiasts.
BEM’s cafe component will complement the bookstore’s literary focus. Customers can enjoy food while browsing books that celebrate Black culinary heritage and innovation.
Cultural Events and Author Collaborations Build Community Connections
The sisters plan to collaborate with notable authors for special events and programming. They will work with Nicole Taylor, author of Watermelon & Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations, for a Juneteenth event. These partnerships will bring celebrated writers directly to the Bed-Stuy community.
Cultural events will help establish BEM as a neighborhood institution. The store will host book readings, cooking demonstrations, and discussions about Black culinary history. These activities will create ongoing engagement beyond typical retail transactions.
The programming strategy reflects the sisters’ commitment to building lasting community connections. They want BEM to become a cultural anchor that celebrates Black food traditions through literature and events.
Future Vision Positions BEM as Blueprint for Black Food Bookstores
The Davenport sisters hope BEM will inspire similar ventures across the country. Their success could demonstrate the viability of specialized Black food bookstores in other communities. The concept addresses a clear market need while serving important cultural purposes.
BEM represents more than a business venture—it’s a cultural institution in the making. The store will preserve and celebrate Black culinary knowledge through carefully curated literature. Future customers will discover both familiar favorites and hidden gems in Black food writing.
The sisters remain focused on creating a lasting impact in Bed-Stuy. Their vision extends beyond profit to cultural preservation and community building through the power of food-focused literature.
