Nikole Hannah-Jones Opens Brooklyn Literary Salon

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of the renowned “1619 Project,” Nikole Hannah-Jones, is embarking on an exciting new venture! She’s launching a literary salon in Brooklyn called The North Star Books + Bar, aiming to create a vibrant hub for Black writers and foster a strong sense of community within the literary world.

A Space for Black Voices

Located in a two-story brick building at the corner of Macon Street and Marcus Garvey Boulevard – a site that formerly housed the long-standing Black-owned Macon Hardware – The North Star Books + Bar is designed to celebrate Black literary talent, both established and emerging. The space will feature a first-floor café and bar, a dedicated book and event area, and upstairs micro-residencies for visiting writers.

These visiting writers will lead workshops, readings, and engage directly with the community, enriching the literary landscape of Brooklyn. Hannah-Jones, a Brooklyn resident for nearly 15 years, has long hosted writer salons in her home and is now eager to bring that intimate energy to a public space for everyone to enjoy.

Inspired by the Harlem Renaissance

Hannah-Jones drew inspiration from the legendary Harlem Renaissance, envisioning a public salon that captures its spirit. She told Harper’s Bazaar, “I started holding these writers’ salons at my house within a year of moving to New York. I felt that young Black writers needed to have a place where they could be with their heroes, where we could do readings.” She recalled Ta-Nehisi Coates reading an early draft of his book on her stoop, highlighting the power of such gatherings.

The North Star Books + Bar is set to become more than just a bookstore or a bar; it’s envisioned as “a space where creative folks can come together and exchange knowledge, ideas, literature, art.” This initiative extends Hannah-Jones’s commitment beyond journalism and education, focusing on cultivating cultural infrastructure within Black communities.

Programming and Community Engagement

• Opening planned for early 2026.
• Activities will include author talks and community book clubs.
• Partnerships with local schools and cultural institutions are planned.
• Focus on deepening literary engagement in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood.
• Aims to be a foothold for Black New Yorkers in a gentrifying area.

While the official opening date is still being finalized, programming is expected to kick off in early 2026. This venture represents a significant step in anchoring literature, culture, and community in Bed-Stuy for the long term, offering a vital space for Black New Yorkers.