Las Vegas has its first Black-owned bookstore in over a decade with the recent opening of Multicultural Books Las Vegas. The new shop owned by Tamara Shiloh and Carol Santiago aims to provide an inclusive space and empower children through literature.
A Safe Space for Multicultural Books
On November 5th, Shiloh opened the doors to Multicultural Books Las Vegas, located in the historic Westside Kingdom Plaza. It is the second brick-and-mortar location for the brand, with the first in Richmond, California.
Shiloh wants the bookstore to be a welcoming place for people of all backgrounds to discover diverse books. She highlights the focus on displaying books face-forward so kids see themselves reflected.
“Our bookstore, we want it to be a safe space for people to come, sit down and enjoy the books,” said Shiloh. “What sets us apart is most of our books are face-forward so that when children walk in, they see themselves.”
Celebrating Diverse Cultures and Stories
Multicultural Books carries novels, picture books, and chapter books for a wide range of ages. Their selection represents various cultures like African American, Latino, Native American, Asian, South Asian, and more.
The store also features books covering important themes including LGBTQ topics, disabilities, diversity, social justice, STEM, Black history, graphic novels, and much more. Providing this breadth of perspectives is central to their mission.
Reaching Readers Near and Far
In partnering with Santiago on the Las Vegas location, Shiloh is excited to bring her passion for multicultural literature to the area. The bookstore aims to serve local customers while also reaching readers globally through its website.
Shiloh and Santiago plan to host regular activities like story time, author events, and workshops. With a decade-long absence of a Black-owned bookstore, Multicultural Books fills a literary void in Las Vegas.
The new shop empowers children through representation while also providing a inclusive space to explore and celebrate cultures from around the world. For book lovers in Las Vegas, it offers a new community hub.
