The American Booksellers Association (ABA) is thrilled to announce Hanif Abdurraqib as our Indie Bookstore Ambassador for 2026. ABA launched the Indie Bookstore Ambassador program in 2022 to highlight independent bookstores year-round. From Indies First (Small Business Saturday, November 28) to Independent Bookstore Day (April 24, 2027), the Indie Bookstore Ambassador serves as a champion for independent bookstores. Previous ambassadors include Celeste Ng (2022), Amanda Gorman (2023), Trevor Noah (2024), and LeVar Burton (2025).