By Mood Magazine Staff
Before Harlem had Whole Foods or wine bars on Lenox, it had Sisters Uptown Bookstore—a quiet, sacred space where Black words, wisdom, and wellness have been held for over two decades.
Founded in 2000 by Janifer Wilson and her daughter Kori, Sisters Uptown was built on a radical belief: that books could be medicine, and that Black people—especially in Harlem—deserved access to the full spectrum of their intellectual and spiritual heritage. In a neighborhood evolving too fast and forgetting too much, this bookstore is a lighthouse. Still standing. Still serving.
The space is small, but the spirit is enormous. You’ll find titles on history, healing, womanism, liberation theology, plant medicine, and children’s books that actually reflect the children reading them. It’s not just about literature—it’s about legacy. This is where you find Audre Lorde next to bell hooks next to local authors whose first launch happened right here.
Sisters Uptown is more than a bookstore. It’s a refuge. A resource. A reminder.
In a Harlem that sometimes feels like it’s losing itself, Sisters is still speaking its name.
Visit:
1942 Amsterdam Avenue (at 156th Street)
www.sistersuptownbookstore.com
Tuesday–Saturday: 12pm–6pm
Now listed in the Mood Magazine Harlem Business Directory.
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