Talib speaks about his role as an activist
732 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, New York, 11238, US
Nkirucenter.org
As a teenager, never caught anywhere without his rhyme book in hand, Talib Kweli made some very important decisions. Decisions that would change his life forever. Okayplayer.com recently sat down with Dr. Brenda Greene, Talib's mother, to discuss some of them. Part One takes a look at how Talib got involved with Nkiru Bookstore (now known as Nkiru Center for Education and Culture), and the future of this Brooklyn gem.
Knowledge of Self-Determination
There may not be a Nkiru Books today if Talib Kweli hadn't gotten fed up with his part time gig at Shakespeare's bookstore. While in school, he decided that he wanted to work in a Black bookstore instead, but when he went to Nkiru, there were no positions available. At least, none that the management were aware of. But after being swept away by Kweli's employment proposition, a part-time spot was offered to him. As he become more and more involved in the store's operations, he saw firsthand the hefty needs and tolls of a struggling business. He also saw the promise of the future, and the importance of this resource to the community. Probably felt flames from the same fire that Leothy Miller Owens felt when she open Nkiru in 1976, in response to the lack of availability for Black children's books in the community. Kweli decided that if he ever had any money, Nkiru would be where he invested it. That day was just around the corner.
