Sistah Scifi is the first Black-owned bookstore in the United States focused exclusively on science fiction and fantasy, founded in 2019 by Isis Asare. Rooted in Afrofuturism, Black mysticism, science fiction noir, and traditional spiritual traditions, Sistah Scifi celebrates and uplifts literature written by Black and Indigenous authors. Our goal is to double the number of Black and Indigenous Speculative Fiction authors on the New York Times bestseller list by 2030.

With a growing community of nearly 60,000 engaged readers, Sistah Scifi continues to redefine accessibility to diverse voices in speculative fiction. We’ve launched book vending machines in key cultural spaces such as Chapter510 in Oakland, the Northwest African American Museum in Seattle, and Distant Worlds Coffee—bringing curated books directly to the community.

Our work has been featured in Oprah Magazine, The New York Times, BuzzFeed, KQED, USA Today, and The Seattle Times, among others. More than just a bookstore, Sistah Scifi is a cultural movement grounded in community, empowerment, and visionary storytelling. We believe that the future is Black, Indigenous, and brilliant—and we’re building it, one book at a time.

Sistah Scifi

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