September 17, 2025
Call & Response Books has been open since May 2024. It has books from Black authors and other authors of color. Photo provided by Courtney Bledsoe.
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Black-Owned Bookstore In Hyde Park Creates Third Place For Community
Courtney Blesdoe opened Call & Response Books, located at 1390 E. Hyde Park Blvd. in May of 2024. Bledsoe, a lawyer turned bookseller, wanted to open Call & Response Books because she is an avid reader who loves amplifying, celebrating and reading books by and about Black people and other people of color. She said books written by and about Black people and other people of color reflects her own lived experience as a Black woman in this country. She said having a space that enables people to connect with each other, foster community, friendships and relationships is important to her.