By Zoe Perzo
44th & 3rd Bookseller in Atlanta, Georgia, is a family-owned bookstore on a mission to be “a source of unbiased literature that is true to the rich culture of excellence experienced and expressed in the Black community world-wide.” 
I met with co-founder Cheryl Lee to learn more about the bookstore’s unique origin, its name, and mission.
Founded and owned by Cheryl Lee and her husband, Warren, opened 44th & 3rd Bookseller in 2017. But the store’s origin lies decades earlier with Lee’s master‘s thesis.
“I wrote my master’s thesis on the viability of opening an independent bookstore specifically focusing on Black bookstores. This was over thirty years ago, and things have changed a bit since then,” Lee explained. “Back then, it was thought that the big box bookstores would eventually lead to the elimination of independent bookstores. Today, we see that has not happened. In fact, Barnes & Noble is copying the independent bookstore model.”
“One of the main findings,” Lee said, “was that independent bookstores are seen as a destination for communities, and that customers truly cherish and support their community bookstores.”
Lee explained that it became her dream to open a bookstore, and that other experiences along the way reinforced that decision.
In 2010, Lee and her husband traveled to Chicago, and — like many book lovers — made a stop at a local bookstore.
“We made a stop at one of the big box bookstores,” she recalled, “and we were surprised to learn that the store did not have any books by or about the Obamas. It was a huge disappointment, especially given that this was where the Obamas lived.”
“At that time we decided that if we ever had the opportunity to open a bookstore, we would make sure there would be plenty of books about the Obamas,” she explained.
And in 2017, when that opportunity came, Cheryl and Warren Lee remembered that promise. They embedded it in the very name and identity of the shop.
44th & 3rd Bookseller is so named in honor of Barack Obama — the 44th president — and the three themes present in the store and its collections — life, literature, and legacy.
Today, you can find 44th & 3rd Bookseller in the historic West End, near the Atlanta University Center. The store is primarily run by the Lees, and their daughter Allyce, and the trio coordinates responsibilities based on their strengths.
“For example,” Lee said, “I’m a huge fiction and history reader, but I love reading just about anything, so I’m responsible for buying and curating the books we stock.”
“We have sections on just about every major genre, but fiction and history are my favorites,” she said.
And, of course, they have a section dedicated entirely to the Obamas.
44th & 3rd Bookseller also regularly hosts events, particularly author appearances. The bookstore event calendar is packed with upcoming events, but Lee shared a few that she is looking forward to in the next few months.
“We have two events with Dr. Daniel Black in February — he is the professor who did the commencement speech for Clark Atlanta that went viral,” she said. “And I am very excited to host (in March) Bob the Drag Queen for the new book Harriet Tubman: Live In Concert. We also have an April event with CEO Monique Rodriguez of Mielle Organics that I am very excited about!”
With seven successful years of bookselling behind them, the Lees (and 44th &3rd) have become a vital part of their community, and they remain committed to keeping books by and about Black people accessible for their customers.
“Our mission is to provide books by and about Black people to our community and to provide a safe and welcoming space to enjoy these books,” Lee said. “My dream has always been to put books into the hands of our community and to expose them to the knowledge that is available but is not always seen or represented any place else.”
If the mission of 44th & 3rd Bookseller resonates with you, and you’re in the Atlanta area, don’t forget to stop by the shop to talk to the Lees and browse their collection, or attend an event! If you’re not in Georgia, you can support the shop by visiting online, or following the 44th & 3rd Bookseller Instagram and Facebook.