The Origin Story: Why Café con Libros Exists

When people first discover our little slice of Brooklyn, they often ask two big questions:

• “Why the name, Café con Libros? I thought this was a Black-Owned Bookstore.”
• “Why an intersectional feminist bookstore?”

These questions get right to the heart of who we are, and the answer is rooted in a belief that has driven our mission since day one: representation matters.

Born from a Need: The Toni Morrison Mandate

Our story begins with a profound feeling of lack and a powerful quote from the literary giant, Toni Morrison: “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.”

For our owner and founder, Kalima DeSuze, MSW, that quote became a mandate. In the bookselling world, she saw a pervasive trend: stories by, for, and about women, girls, trans, non-binary, and folx were often relegated to a small shelf, if they were present at all. Stories that authentically reflected the breadth of our experiences—especially those from Black, Indigenous, and women of color—were the hardest to find.

In 2015, Kalima decided it was time to move her ideas into action. She asked herself a practical question: “Where do I spend the most money?” The answer was immediate: books and travel. Not just any books, but those that centered the experiences and voices she felt the world was starving for. This clarity set the first cornerstone of Café con Libros.

The Ethiopian Spark

The second cornerstone was laid halfway around the world. During a trip to Ethiopia, Kalima witnessed the vibrant, almost magical community hub created by a local coffeeshop. It wasn’t just a place for caffeine; it was a gathering space, a sanctuary, and an incubator for ideas. She instantly knew she couldn’t just open a bookstore—she had to fuse it with that same powerful sense of community and warmth. A bookstore and coffeeshop it would be.

After two years of dedicated planning, dreaming, and building, the doors to Café con Libros opened in December 2017, ready to serve Brooklyn with both coffee and literature.

Why “Café con Libros” and Why Black-Owned?

The Spanish name, which translates simply to “Coffee with Books,” is a celebration of the two elements that inspired our founder and a nod to the rich cultural tapestry of Brooklyn. It reflects the essential, grounding comfort we aim to provide—a warm drink and a compelling story.

And yes, Café con Libros is proudly a Black-Owned, Woman-Owned establishment.

While our name is not an explicit declaration of that fact, our ownership and our mission are intrinsically linked. The experiences of Black women are the driving force behind our commitment to intersectionality. By intentionally centering the voices often marginalized by the mainstream publishing industry, we are naturally a space that highlights Black authors, thinkers, and artists.

Why Intersectional Feminism is Our Foundation

This brings us to the most important question: “Why an intersectional feminist bookstore?”

Our belief is best captured by another powerful quote, this time from Alice Walker’s The Color Purple: “You have to git man off your eyeball, before you can see anything a’tall.”

To us, this means we must actively shift our gaze. We must prioritize and amplify the perspectives that have been historically overlooked.

Intersectional Feminism, a term coined by scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, recognizes that women’s experiences are shaped not just by gender, but by the overlapping realities of race, class, sexual orientation, ability, and more. A feminism that is not intersectional is not complete.

This philosophy is reflected in everything we do:

• Over 98% of our books and events are by us, about us, and for us—meaning authors and topics centering women, girls, trans, non-binary, and folx, with a deliberate emphasis on diversity in race, ethnicity, and experience.
• We curate our shelves to intentionally prioritize voices that challenge the dominant narrative.

Café con Libros is more than a bookstore; it’s a sanctuary, a gathering space, and a continuous act of visibility. We are here to ensure that the stories you are searching for—the stories that nourish, challenge, and inspire you—are not only written but are always on our shelves.

What stories are you hoping to find today? Come browse our curated collections and grab a coffee.

Categories

• Bookstore

Features

• Air conditioning
• Friendly workspace
• Storefront

Regions

• Brooklyn, NY.

Location