Planting People Growing Justice grows young readers at Gideon Barbershop
Planting People Growing Justice (PPGJ) is a Black woman-owned children’s publisher and bookstore inside Gideon Barbershop in South Minneapolis. Founded by civil rights attorney and author Dr. Artika Tyner, PPGJ centers books that reflect the African Diaspora and turns “read to lead” into action with storytimes, workshops, and youth leadership programs. Opened days after George Floyd’s murder, the bookstore has become a welcoming hub for literacy, representation, and community healing.
In the heart of South Minneapolis, a bookstore tucked inside Gideon Barbershop is quietly sowing seeds of social change. Planting People Growing Justice (PPGJ) is a Black woman-owned children’s book publisher, bookstore, and literacy-focused social enterprise that encourages young people to find joy in reading while developing the skills to become tomorrow’s leaders.
Founded by Dr. Artika R. Tyner, an award-winning author, civil rights attorney, and educator, PPGJ has been a home for literacy and learning since May 2020, just eight days after the murder of George Floyd, making its opening a tangible act of community resilience and belonging. Tyner describes the space as “a place where young people can learn our history, spark interest in reading, and build connections across our community.”
The bookstore, part of a broader social enterprise, focuses exclusively on children’s literature that reflects the African Diaspora, from arts and geography to science and history. Tyner explains, “Our mantra is ‘read to lead.’ We aim to inspire young people to read and to lead, using storytime as a space for families and communities to come together.”
PPGJ books serve as both mirrors and windows, a concept developed by scholar Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop. Mirrors allow children of color to see themselves positively represented in literature, while windows offer insights into other cultures and perspectives.
Tyner highlights the scarcity of representation in mainstream publishing: “You’re more likely to see a black dog or a black bear on a book cover than a Black girl or boy. We have to change that.”
Local authors and illustrators are at the center of PPGJ’s mission. “It’s important for children to see authors from their own communities,” Tyner says. “You cannot be what you cannot see. Having local authors visit schools or community spaces creates unforgettable connections that inspire our young leaders.”
Tyner’s commitment to literacy stems from her experience as a civil rights attorney and law professor. She has witnessed firsthand how access to reading can transform lives, from helping clients learn to read in prison to recognizing the effects of the school-to-prison pipeline on young people. As a first-generation college student, Tyner emphasizes that education opened doors not only for herself but for her entire family and the broader Rondo community.
In today’s society, she says, reading is more crucial than ever. “Books are the passport to the future. They help young people think critically, understand democracy, learn about community history, and reimagine the world,” she explains.
Tyner acknowledges literacy gaps reported nationally but stresses that the solution lies in investing in early childhood literacy and learning. “If 80% of the brain develops in the first few years, we must provide enriching experiences and equip parents with the tools to build vocabulary, critical thinking, and a love for books.”
PPGJ also acts as a hub for social change, fostering youth leadership development through storytelling that integrates social-emotional learning, project-based learning, and anti-racist education. By cultivating both literacy and leadership, the organization equips children to become confident, critical thinkers and active participants in their communities.
Tyner highlights the bookstore’s location inside Gideon Barbershop as an intentional choice. Partnering with the barbershop allowed PPGJ to create a “place of belonging” for the community, especially during a moment of deep social upheaval in 2020. Beyond selling books, the space serves as a community gathering spot for storytime, workshops, and author visits.
As PPGJ continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to transform literacy into leadership. As Tyner says, “We are a bookstore, a publisher, and a nonprofit literacy organization — a triple threat. Our goal is to radically change the narrative around literacy, representation, and youth leadership, creating a new generation of readers and leaders.”
For more information or to explore PPGJ books, visit ppgbooks.com or learn more about the organization’s broader initiatives at ppgjli.org.
Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.