Fresh Lit. Nourishing Goods. Rooted Encounters.
WHO MADE THE POTATO SALAD?

Black, woman-owned bookshop powered by Black food.

Our Mission

Rooted in Story. Nourished by Food. Guided by Liberation.

Red Rice Books exists to deepen Black folks’ connection to food, food systems, and global food sovereignty—honoring our past while cultivating a more just future.

Our Philosophies

  • ★
    We serve inclusive Blackness and the diversity of Black identities worldwide in such a way that protects, respects, and is sensitive to the dignity of all Black people and opposes anti-Blackness in all of its forms.
    # 1
  • ★★
    We serve an active community rooted in the enduring tradition of the pan-African struggle for freedom and strive to contribute to that enduring journey/ movement towards freedom.
    # 2
  • ★★★
    We serve dynamic literary experiences and exploration by critically engaging with ideas, words, and each other, namely around Black food justice, sovereignty, and traditions--we leverage literature to better the world.
    # 3
  • ★★★★
    We serve commitments to environmentally sustainable business practices and strive to limit the negative impacts of environmental racism on Black people worldwide. 
    # 4
  • ★★★★★
    We serve an intentional platform for Black people to tell their stories and create their  present and future realities by promoting authors, illustrators, publishers, presses, artisans and creatives from our communities with the knowledge that we often rely on a broader community to make this possible.
    # 5

ABOUT THE FOUNDERS

  • KG

    a proud afro-carolinian who enjoys rum and folk music, addicted to feeding minds and bodies

  • Vanessa

    of farming folks and kitchen chemists—people whose genius is homegrown and community fed. 

Fresh literature. nourishing goods. rooted encounters.

Driven by our love for the African Diaspora and our affinity for teaching, we dedicate this bookstore to strengthening Black people’s connection to food—how we grow it, cook it, share it, and protect it. Through books, stories, and cultural experiences, we center food as heritage, power, and possibility, advancing food sovereignty for Black communities across the globe. We believe we find our power in through Black food.