Porsha Olayiwola grew up spending her weekends at her downtown Chicago Library. Every day after school she and her friends would go to Barnes & Noble and read. Her love of literature ignited an interest in writing, so it is no surprise that she became a poet and educator. The current Boston Poet laureate has been navigating the literary world as a consumer, creative and writer for years.  Now, she is writing a new chapter as the co-owner of a new bookstore.

JustBook-Ish is slowly making a name for itself in the historic city of Boston, which is known for its exuberance within the arts and rich history of writers.  Only six miles outside of the city JustBook-Ish has officially launched in Dorchester. And it all began with a simple idea.

In the late spring of 2024, Olayiwola noticed there was a lack of community literary spaces in her hometown. In a Nov. 21 interview with The Justice, she said, “As a person who likes to write in my free time. I found that there wasn’t a space I could just walk to from my house that was open in the evening, or after work hours I could go to.” She explained that the only nearby bookstore is located on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Boston, which feels removed from the local community.  

After reflecting on this with longtime colleague Bing Broderick, they had the idea to start a bookstore. Olayiwola first met Broderick in 2014 through the non-profit organization Haley House, where he was the former executive director. The Haley House is an organization focused on uplifting and meeting the needs of the Roxbury community. When Olayiowla was rising in prominence as a poet, she and friend Janae Johnson suggested poetry slams as a community event. The Haley House did in fact become a space for poetry through House Slam and eventually sent a team of five poets, including Olayiwola, to the National Poetry Slam in Oakland, California. 

Sharing a vision of creating community spaces, Olayiwola and Broderick became better acquainted. “We are practically neighbors,” Olayiwola commented. Once they had heard of building space availability, they knew it was the perfect time. Despite coming from different backgrounds, “the merging made a lot of sense,” Olayiwola said.

Of course, this decision was not made lightly. Olayiwola explained the endeavor was intimidating, and sometimes even terrifying. When reflecting on the initial process she explained that there was a community voting process on what the commercial space was to become. Olayiwola and Broderick made it as one of four finalists, but they were worried that their financial status would undermine votes. “We felt like an underdog in that particular avenue,” Olayiwola explained.

The co-owners both expressed that they felt a sudden dawn of reality after their idea won. In a Dec. 10 interview with The Justice, Broderick shared, “Once we were selected we had to get serious. We had to figure out how we would raise the money that we needed [and] get pro bono legal help to set up the legal entity.”

While digital media seems to dominate in the 21st century, surprisingly, bookstores have been booming across the nation. “I think right now there is a sort of documented renaissance of community bookstores,” Broderick said. Within this community, the two found a source of support. “We’ve spoken to all of the bookstores in the Boston area, and everyone has been helpful and cooperative,” Broderick explained.

Broderick went on to express the beautiful and inclusive community that has been built, “No one sees us as a threat. One bookstore gave us our cash register.”

The idea had been in the making for so long, and there wasn’t any problem getting folks engaged. “Everybody who walks through the door knows somebody who said something [about JustBook-Ish],” Broderick said, speaking to the growing sense of anticipation within the community. And for those who don’t know anything about the bookstore, curiosity invites them in.

The shop celebrated its official opening on Nov. 23 with a ribbon cutting. On the rainy Saturday morning, community members huddled together for warmth under a massive awning to watch the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Good morning everyone!” Reverend Mariama White-Hamond boomed in a joyous voice.  She sported black slacks with a printed poncho and a salt-and-pepper afro. “Good morning!” the crowd yelled back in response. “I am so glad to be here this morning!” she continued. “We are going to start with prayer.” The crowd remained silent until she was done. She expressed gratitude for the space, for the people and for the perfect timing of the event before welcoming Olayiwola and Broderick. The pair then took their spot at the podium discussing their work in creating and cultivating the literary space that is JustBook-ish. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined the celebration and expressed appreciation for the space among many community members.

After the speech, folks were then welcomed inside, taking a tiny tour of the store. Inside, there’s a small island, atop of which stands banned books such as “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” “Little & Lion”  and “New Kid: a Graphic Novel.” Another island holds non-fiction literature while children’s books adorn the bookshelves that frame the walls. Every window is accompanied with a nook for fashionable seating and book lined shelves. More than 150 children, parents, students and community members crowded the small store to listen to the mayor and congresswoman read aloud.

Sitting at the store’s beautiful wooden table that is embellished with a rich cobalt center, Olayiwola sips from her matching Bosmarlin tea mug. “I think it’s necessary, especially as a writer, [to have] literary spaces that provide wall space for people who have been traditionally left out of literary spaces whether that be by way of book, whether that be by way of conversation,” she said. 

“It’s important to have a space where people feel comfortable and feel seen,” local Boston artist Naikey Lenescat told The Justice on Dec. 5. Lenescat stands in solidarity with Olayiwola’s endeavor. “And it doesn’t feel so big that your corner of the earth cannot be represented,” she said. From the wallpaper to the website, Lenescat’s design gives JustBook-Ish its nostalgic rustic feel, with a meld of textured photography, ripped scrapbooks and a hint of bold golds and blues. There is even a story behind the logo which is a blue bird holding a pencil in its beak with wings outstretched. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” Lenescat considered what the bird would look like if set free.

Lenescat emphasized that other coffee chains have a commercial feel and often cater to folks of a certain financial caliber. “JustBook-Ish really kind of ties together the communities that have operated in silos in Boston.”

While libraries provide patrons with a wide range of genres and topics, JustBook-Ish “is really centered around changemakers, thought leaders, revolutionists- people who really stood for something.” 

Lenescat explained that there is a book for everyone. “And it’s like, okay, here’s a book about being a black girl with braids, you know. Here’s a book about being a part of a community. Here’s a book about religion.”

While many bookstores have cafes, JustBook-Ish created their cafe with specific palettes in mind. In a Nov. interview with The Justice, Culinary Director Tamika Francis, explained they source their food from local shops and entrepreneurs. They have Colombian-style empanadas, cookies and croissants with a twist. “The croissants are really in the tradition of the African diaspora. The flavors are very unique to this area or to the region. There is sweet potato and ginger, colored cheddar classic butter and cinnamon swirl," Francis told The Justice on Dec. 10.

JustBook-Ish has expanded their programming over the months, hosting community events from youth poetry readings to artists talks. Dominican-American educator, screenwriter and filmmaker, Paloma Valenzuala, screened her debut documentary “The Seltzer Factory” at the space in early November. 

Valenzuela planned to screen her film in the summer of 2024 at places like the Boston Public Library and the Museum of Fine Arts among other libraries and universities. JustBook-Ish was one of the options.

The smaller space is exactly what made JustBook-Ish perfect. In the interview with The Justice, she recalled the question and answer event, “The vibe was so lovely. Even though it was maybe 20 people, it filled the room.” She said the event stands out as one of her favorites.

Olayiwola witnessed the impact the screening had on the viewers, “I had one of my friends there and apparently she cried. You know there was, I guess, a song in the film that she hadn’t heard since her mother’s wedding. I just think moments like that are really incredible and necessary. It’s why we are trying to do the work we’re trying to do.”

While the work is far from done, Olayiwola and Broderick’s bookstore is already paving a way for the community.  Everyone from families and community members, to aspiring creatives and authors can find a sense of belonging where their stories are heard and their ideas are welcomed. The store and community space is an invitation to all. Just as Olayiwola fell in love with reading in her Chicago library, the future looks bright as many young children can have that same opportunity at JustBook-ish.