Diversity & Inclusion at ABA

 

 

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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA) at American Booksellers Association


 


Diversity Statement

ABA is committed to antiracism, representation, equity, and access in all that we do. We believe that diversity and diverse perspectives make our organization stronger and we are committed to equity, dignity, and diversity for all Peoples. ABA will:

  • Implement best practices to ensure more diverse hiring and more opportunities for promotion into senior and decision-making positions at all levels of the organization for employees.
  • Ensure that ABA policies and procedures are antiracist, create opportunities for everyone, and demonstrate support for historically marginalized Peoples.
  • Support diverse colleagues, employees, bookstore owners, booksellers, authors, and publishers.
  • Work closely with ABA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee of member booksellers to be aware of concerns of a diverse group of booksellers and bookstore owners, and to use the council’s insights and feedback to improve and inform ABA’s programs and services to better serve marginalized communities, demonstrate best practices for all members, and make our organization stronger.
  • Require representation of BIPOC, queer, disabled, and other marginalized authors and books at all ABA events (at least 40% of speakers/panelists overall).
  • Meet as staff throughout the year to discuss topics and educate ourselves on issues related to antiracism, antidiscrimination, microaggressions, and supporting underrepresented Peoples.
  • Commit to the core values of mutual respect, listening, empathy, and empowered participation.
  • Actively work with publishers and authors toward a more representative book industry in which all voices are heard.

 


Code of Conduct

ABA’s Code of Conduct is updated and reviewed annually (adopted May 2018; updated October 2021; updated September 2022)

ABA is committed to antiracism, equity, access, and representation. ABA is also committed to being more inclusive, and we value the dignity and diversity of everyone in our community. To that end, ABA strives for safer events and a safer community and workplace as well as an enjoyable experience for everyone involved with ABA’s work, both in-person and virtually. We use the terms “safer” and “more inclusive” to indicate that these conditions are not perfectible but a continuous effort.

View full Code of Conduct

 


ABA Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

American Booksellers Association Staff Committee Members:

  • Allison K Hill, CEO
  • Ray Daniels, CCO
  • PK Sindwani, CFO
  • María Rodriguez, Meetings & Planning Coordinator
  • Mariana Calderón, ABA DEIA Member Relations Manager

Bookseller Committee Members:

  • Christine Bollow, Loyalty Bookstores, Washington, D.C. and Silver Spring, Maryland
  • Kim Brock, Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Cincinnati, Ohio
  • Gina Carra, BookPeople, Austin, Texas
  • Valeria Cerda, La Revo Books, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Carolann Jane Duro, Quiet Quail Books & Indigenous Book Club, Highland, California
  • Audrey Huang, Belmont Books, Belmont, Massachusetts
  • Candice Huber, Tubby & Coo's Mid-City Book Shop, New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Kalani Kapahua, Third Place Books, Seattle, Washington
  • David Landry, CLASS Bookstore, Houston, Texas
  • Chonteau McElvin, Spiral Circle Bookstore & More, Orlando, Florida
  • Rafe Posey, Eagle Harbor Book Co., Bainbridge Island, Washington
  • Hillary Smith, Black Walnut Books, Glens Falls, New York 

Learn more

 


ABA's DEIA Initiatives


ABA Webinars and Education

ABA continues to create content and programming for members and staff. Some of our member favorites activities include:

Featured Talk with Dr. Adia Harvey Wingfield: Gray Areas (June 6, 2023)
Content related to the education sessions Featured Talk with Dr. Adia Harvey Wingfield: Gray Areas, Children's Institute 2023.

Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace (June 6, 2023)
Content related to the education session Embracing Neurodiversity in the Workplace, Children's Institute 2023.

Designing and Implementing a DEI Program for Your Store (February 22, 2023)
Content related to the education session Designing and Implementing a DEI Program for Your Store, Winter Institute 2023.

Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change (February 22, 2023)
Content related to the education sessions Breakfast Keynote: Closing the Gap Between Good Intentions and Real Change, Winter Institute 2023.

Native Stories Now: Keynote & Breakfast (June 22, 2022)
Content related to the education session Native Stories Now: Keynote & Breakfast, Children's Institute 2022.

Report from the Field: Black Female Entrepreneurship: Bookselling and Literacy as Resistance (March 8, 2022)
Content related to the education session Report from the Field: Black Female Entrepreneurship: Bookselling and Literacy as Resistance, Snow Days 2022.

Diversity & Inclusion Matters in your Store: A DEIA Store Audit to Walk the Talk (February 16, 2022)
Content related to the education session Diversity & Inclusion Matters in your Store: A DEIA Store Audit to Walk the Talk, THREE WORKSHOPS: Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone: Knowing Better Means Doing Better.

Creating a Work Environment That Embraces Access, Equity, and Justice (materials available) (February 18, 2021)
Content related to the education session Creating a Work Environment That Embraces Access, Equity, and Justice (materials available), Winter Institute 2021.

 


Land Acknowledgement

When we gather together for our events, ABA acknowledges that those of us here in the United States reside on traditional lands of Indigenous People past and present. In gratitude, ABA acknowledges this at the beginning of our conferences. We also make a donation to a local Indigenous organization to honor the local community. For virtual events ABA makes a donation to the American Indian College Fund.

 


ABA Meetups and Affinity Groups

The Affinity Groups were created to allow members an opportunity to gather for connection, support, community, resources, and networking. Preference is given to facilitation by volunteer booksellers, but ABA staff members who identify as part of said community occasionally facilitate depending on volunteer availability. While allies are greatly appreciated, these closed sessions are available only for individuals who identify as members of these communities. If you are in the process of exploring your identity and relationship with a community, please do not self-reject. However, those who do not identify as a member of the BIPOC, LGBTQIA2S+, Disability, and/or Neurodiverse community should not plan to attend that group’s coinciding meetup.

These are the 4 groups below:

BIPOC Community

Monthly, Second Wednesday,
2 pm ET on even months,
8 pm ET on odd months

BIPOC-identifying booksellers and bookstore owners and those exploring their relationship to BIPOC identity are welcome to gather for connection, support, community, resources, and networking. Allies who do not identify as part of the BIPOC community should not plan to attend.

 

LGBTQIA2S+ Community

Monthly, Second Monday,
2 pm ET on even months,
8 pm ET on odd months

LGBTQIA2S+ booksellers and bookstore owners and those exploring their relationship to all facets of gender and sexuality are welcome to gather for connection, support, community, resources, and networking. Allies who do not identify as part of the LGBTQIA2S+ community should not plan to attend. Booksellers who are thinking of attending but aren't quite sure, don’t self-reject! If you are exploring your relationship to gender and sexuality, you are welcome.

 

Disability Community

Monthly, Third Friday,
2 pm ET on even months,
8 pm ET on odd months

Disabled-identifying booksellers and bookstore owners and those exploring their relationship to Disability identity. Booksellers who are thinking of attending but aren't quite sure, don’t self-reject! The term Disability applies to any condition of the body or mind to any degree.

 

Neurodiverse Community

Monthly, First Thursday,
2 pm ET on even months,
8 pm ET on odd months

A closed space for Neurodivergent-identifying booksellers and bookstore owners and those exploring their relationship to Neurodiversity. Booksellers who are thinking of attending but aren't quite sure, don’t self-reject! The term Neurodiverse applies to all neurodivergent neurotypes.

 

About ABA

The American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization, works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book.

Independent bookstores act as community anchors; they serve a unique role in promoting the open exchange of ideas, enriching the cultural life of communities, and creating economically vibrant neighborhoods.

Contact

PRESS INQUIRIES: [email protected]

INDIECOMMERCE: [email protected]

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES: [email protected]

 

 

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