Strive Publishing & Bookstore centers Black voices

In the heart of downtown Minneapolis, inside the Medical Arts Building, a unique literacy space is quietly transforming how stories are told, and who gets to tell them.

At Strive Publishing & Bookstore, founder and CEO Mary Taris has created more than a bookstore, building a cultural hub rooted in representation, community, and the power of storytelling, particularly for Black voices that have historically been underrepresented in mainstream publishing.

Taris, a former educator, launched Strive in 2018 after recognizing a persistent gap in the classroom: students were not seeing themselves reflected in the books they were asked to read.

“Just after years of teaching and not finding enough books that represent the children that look like me,” Taris said, reflecting on her years in education. “The children didn’t want to read books that didn’t represent them.”

That realization sparked what would become a mission-driven bookstore with representation at its foundation.

Strive is intentional about the stories it carries and shares. Its shelves highlight African American and Black heritage literature while also expanding the narrative to include voices across the African diaspora.

“Our main focus is African American, Black heritage,” Taris said. “Even connecting folks who immigrate here from Africa and help people understand that African Americans are not the stereotypical things you see on TV or hear in the news.”

The space isn’t just about selling books, it’s about challenging narratives, bridging cultural gaps, and fostering understanding. In a media landscape where representation often feels limited or distorted, Strive offers something different by centering titles that reflect real experiences and diverse identities often missing from traditional bookshelves.

Taris’ background in education continues to shape the bookstore. She sees literacy not only as an academic skill, but as a tool for empowerment and identity-building. She said for many customers, Strive serves as a first encounter with books that reflect their lived experiences.

“I come across a lot of adults who were like me where we did not read a book that had someone that looked like us until we were maybe in our 20s,” she said.

That delayed representation is something Strive works to change, starting with children but extending to readers of all ages. By placing culturally relevant books in the hands of young readers, Strive helps address what Taris describes as a deeper issue tied to literacy and engagement.

“They needed books that they could relate to,” she said.

Beyond the retail bookstore, Strive also operates as a publishing company, offering services designed to make publishing more accessible, especially for aspiring Black authors.

Through flexible options, writers can choose the level of support they need, whether it’s editing, distribution, or full publishing assistance.

“If you want to have your book published as a self-published author, we just help you get it set up and then you take it from there,” Taris explained.

The model lowers barriers that often prevent marginalized voices from publishing their stories. Instead of navigating a system that can be difficult to access, authors can take control of their work with support tailored to their needs.

Taris continues to lead Strive’s publishing arm because, as she puts it, “there are so many people with stories and they want to write books, so even though I moved into the book sales and bookstore space, I continued to keep that publishing arm because I know that there are so many stories that still need to be heard.”

Stepping inside Strive, the space is filled with couches and chairs, creating a home-like and welcoming environment that extends beyond a traditional retail bookstore. It also serves as a gathering place for the community.

The bookstore regularly hosts literacy events, meet-and-greets with local and national authors, book launches, and book talks. Other events include spoken word, poetry, and workshops that invite the community to engage and participate.

“We love to bring in local authors, even national authors, to come and connect with the community,” Taris said.

Strive centers culture, storytelling, and community, creating a space where Black voices are uplifted, local authors are supported, and readers can see themselves reflected on the shelves.

Located at 825 Nicollet Mall, the bookstore invites visitors to step into a space where Black stories are not just consumed, but lived, shared, and celebrated.

Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.