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Black Stone
Bookstore & Cultural Center
Where:
214 W Michigan Ave
Launched:
2013
Owner:
Carlos Franklin
The Inspiration
As a kid, Carlos Franklin always had a book in his hand. For him, the joy of reading lay in the discovery of something new — the chance to veer off from assigned reading lists at school and find authors who really spoke to him, from Richard Wright and Claude Brown to Malcolm X and Leo Tolstoy.
In 2013, Franklin brought that same spirit of discovery to the launch of his bookstore and cultural center, Black Stone. As a Black-owned bookstore, Black Stone was founded to feature books that highlight and articulate the Black experience. Within that framework, however, Franklin’s collection is as vast and eclectic as his own interests.
Looking Forward
While Black Stone was created as a Black-owned bookstore, Franklin emphasizes that the mission is, and has always been, “to put books in people’s hands” — as many people as possible.
For him, the city of Ypsilanti is key to that equation, and he feels Ypsi’s growth and potential have yet to be fully realized.
