{"id":104563,"date":"2024-07-01T18:16:42","date_gmt":"2024-07-01T23:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/?p=104563"},"modified":"2024-07-01T18:16:42","modified_gmt":"2024-07-01T23:16:42","slug":"with-new-hyde-park-bookstore-owner-courtney-bledsoe-answers-call-for-more-diverse-representation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/with-new-hyde-park-bookstore-owner-courtney-bledsoe-answers-call-for-more-diverse-representation\/","title":{"rendered":"With new Hyde Park bookstore, owner Courtney Bledsoe answers call for more diverse representation"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Layla Brown-Clark
\n<\/strong>Medill Reports<\/em><\/p>\n

There are more than <\/span>50 independent bookstores<\/span><\/a> in the Chicago area, each with its own flair and serving as a cornerstone to the culture of its neighborhood.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is true for Courtney Bledsoe\u2019s Call and Response Bookstore in Hyde Park.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Call and Response Bookstore is a Black woman-owned bookstore located in Hyde Park. The new bookstore has been open for a month, and its grand opening celebration took place May 4, 2024. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Call and Response opened May 4 and has become a gem to the community members of Hyde Park. Like many independent bookstores in the city, the owner\u2019s passion for reading and storytelling was one of the keys to opening this bookstore to the public.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve always been an avid reader,\u201d Bledsoe said. \u201cI loved reading and engaging with books and stories. As I grew older, my passions shifted specifically to reading and sharing books that are authored by people of color.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Courtney Bledsoe chats on the phone as she prepares to open the bookstore for its 11 a.m. opening on May 15. The layout of Call and Response aims to not only encourage avid book lovers to browse the collection but also be a space for people to unwind and crack open their new books. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
The bookstore also caters to children. There are not only a plethora of children\u2019s books to choose from, but also coloring pages available to keep busy them. The drawings are featured throughout the store, but many children want to take their coloring pages home at the end of their visit. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Call and Response has two notable murals. The one pictured is a Toni Morrison mural above all of the recently released titles that have arrived at the bookstore. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Courtney Bledsoe, the owner of Call and Response Bookstore, poses for a portrait. Bledsoe\u2019s aim for Call and Response is to find stories that center narratives around people of color. The space functions as a hub for African American, Asian, Hispanic, and other fiction and nonfiction from a wide range of authors. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, Bledsoe\u2019s mission does not stop at providing a space for the public to purchase mainstream and indie titles. She said she wants to uplift BIPOC voices that the book industry often misses. Though there have been moves to amplify these voices, Call and Response specialize in this mission specifically.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do think that we\u2019re still in a position right now where those stories are not being amplified in the ways that they should be from a mainstream publishing and book-selling perspective,\u201d Bledsoe said. \u201cWhat I wanted to do was to have a space that was intentional in uplifting those stories and narratives, whether that be through selling books or through having events that are supporting authors or creatives in other respects.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Bledsoe restocks her shelves before the 11 a.m. opening of Call and Response. Bledsoe may not read all of the titles on her shelves, but she takes her time handpicking the choices that best suit the mission of her bookstore. This process includes researching new titles and remaining in contact with her sales representative to obtain a catalog for upcoming book releases. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

To further fulfill this mission, Bledsoe takes her time handpicking each of the books in her store\u2019s small inventory. It helps that she\u2019s read a good amount of the books in her store and can give recommendations depending on a patron\u2019s interest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the books she hasn\u2019t read, Bledsoe often goes through the catalogs with a list of upcoming titles her sales representative sends her way, and she picks the books that best fit the mission of her store.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Call and Response features genres ranging from fiction, nonfiction, science fiction, thriller, mystery, and more. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Bledsoe\u2019s selections from a variety of authors line the many tables in the space. Some titles in the bookstore feature description cards or are grouped by bestsellers. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Bledsoe\u2019s store has received a plethora of support from community members and other businesses in the area. She says this encourages her to continue the pursuits of her business, particularly because so many like-minded individuals are cheering her on.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Patrons view the bookshelves at the Call and Response Bookstore on June 1, 2024. Community members and non-community members stopped by the store to see its selections and to support Bledsoe\u2019s business. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"
Customers view one of the many titles offered at the Call and Response Bookstore on June 1, 2024. Rain or shine, patrons find their way to Bledsoe\u2019s store to purchase books and ask for recommendations. (Layla Brown-Clark\/MEDILL)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cSomething I love about Hyde Park is the vibrancy of the Black-owned businesses here,\u201d Bledsoe said, \u201cIf you walk down the street, a lot of the businesses are great Black-owned businesses. They\u2019re really strong presences here. It\u2019s encouraging to see everybody leaning into their passions and what they are proud of. In this space here in Hyde Park, the community is magnificent.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Since its grand opening, Bledsoe\u2019s bookstore has held its steady regulars in the space and seen recurring customers. Aside from this, the business has held a variety of events from author talks and book signings to trivia nights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Call and Response located at 1390 E. Hyde Park Blvd. is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.<\/span><\/p>\n

Layla Brown-Clark is a magazine graduate student at Medill. You can follow her <\/span>@laylabclark<\/span><\/a> on Twitter and <\/span>@laylabrownclark<\/span><\/a> on Instagram.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Layla Brown-Clark Medill Reports There are more than 50 independent bookstores in the Chicago area, each with its own flair and serving as a cornerstone to the culture of its neighborhood. This is true for Courtney Bledsoe\u2019s Call and Response Bookstore in Hyde Park.\u00a0 Call and Response opened May 4 and has become a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":969,"featured_media":104580,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[194,5251,5438],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-104563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arts-culture","category-chicago","category-summer-2024"],"yoast_head":"\nWith new Hyde Park bookstore, owner Courtney Bledsoe answers call for more diverse representation - Medill Reports Chicago<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/news.medill.northwestern.edu\/chicago\/with-new-hyde-park-bookstore-owner-courtney-bledsoe-answers-call-for-more-diverse-representation\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"With new Hyde Park bookstore, owner Courtney Bledsoe answers call for more diverse representation - Medill Reports Chicago\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"By Layla Brown-Clark Medill Reports There are more than 50 independent bookstores in the Chicago area, each with its own flair and serving as a cornerstone to the culture of its neighborhood. 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