#NNPA BlackPress

Taste of Soul Spotlight: Malik Books

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — One of the great things about Taste of Soul (TOS) is it introduces Southern California residents to a wide array of businesses, organizations and vendors. Malik Books is one of those businesses that has been serving the community for decades. Malik and Aprilia Muhammad run the bookstore, which offers a wealth of information, merchandise and gifts to its customers.

Published

7 years ago

September 14, 2019

Oakland Post

Photo by: lasentinel.net

By Brian W. Carter,

One of the great things about Taste of Soul (TOS) is it introduces Southern California residents to a wide array of businesses, organizations and vendors. Malik Books is one of those businesses that has been serving the community for decades. Malik and Aprilia Muhammad run the bookstore, which offers a wealth of information, merchandise and gifts to its customers.

“Our selection of products has help create a positive impact on self-reflection, self-esteem, and self-awareness,” said Malik. “Malik Books motto is ‘Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.’ Our goal at Malik books is to give our customers and community an African American experience of self-pride.”

Malik was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and later attended USC excelling as a track and field athlete, which took him to the 1984 Olympic Games. Malik graduated from USC in 1987 and received a BS in public administration. After graduation, he established a career in real estate as a mortgage consultant helping hundreds of people become homeowners. Aprilia was born in California and is a nurse by profession. She has worked with multiple medical institutions and received honors based on her worth ethic. As an entrepreneur, Aprilia formed a wellness program called the Natural Gut Check, which is a program that helps people live a healthy way of life. Together they have two children together in addition to three from a previous union.

Malik Books was originally established in 1990 on the corner of Crenshaw and King Blvd. In 1994, the bookstore moved into the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The bookstore answered a need that was in a community that was underserved according to Malik.

“Knowledge is a gift that keeps on giving,” said Malik. “In the 1990s, our communities lacked certain knowledge and products that promoted a positive reflection of self.

“We firmly believe people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. Our desire at Malik Books is to transform the negative image of Black people through books and gifts.”

After 20 years, Malik Books closed the business in 2009, but it would be the TOS festival that would bring the bookstore back again.
“In 2018, Malik Books decided to vendor at the Taste of Soul,” said Malik. “The response from the community was very positive.

“The experience was eye-opening and the community was very thankful that we were there vending at the Taste of Soul. All day, one customer after another, thanked [us] for being open and providing our selection of African American books, calendars and gifts.”

He continued, “The Taste of Soul provided the inspiration and motivation to imagine bigger. After the [festival], Malik Books shortly entered negotiation with the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza to lease space.

“Malik Books opened a new bookstore on Nov. 15, 2018.”

Malik Books is an independent African American bookstore that specializes in books, African American calendars, and African American gifts full of cultural diversity. The bookstore is one of the many Afrocentric bookstores in America that was part of the,

“Black Book Revolution” that swept across America during the early 1980s.

“Our doors at Malik Books has always given voice to the independent and self-published authors,” said Malik. “Malik Books has hosted, over the years, hundreds of book signings and discussions as well as organized public debates and cultural events that speak to the upliftment of the Black community.”

This will be Malik Books second year vending at TOS and they are looking forward to connecting with the community again.

“Malik Books believes children are 100% of our future,” said Malik. “Malik Books has the largest African American children’s book selection in Los Angeles.

“Malik Books is a community neighborhood bookstore that gives voice to the voiceless. Awaken your spirit by visiting Malik Books—the total African American experience of Blackness.”

Malik Books will be doing a huge promotion at Taste of Soul on October 19. All books will be 2 for $10. They welcome parents, teachers and the entire community to come by their booth.

For more information on this vendor, please visit www.malikbooks.com

For more information on Taste of Soul, please visit tasteofsoul.org

Get the Taste of Soul App for up-to-the-minute performer & stage info, interactive maps, exclusive offers, discounts, contests and more available on Apple App Store and Google Play. You can follow Taste of Soul on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

This article originally appeared in The Los Angeles Sentinel.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Mayor Eric Garcetti and Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson Celebrate the Groundbreaking for Homeless Housing Development in South Los Angeles

Don't Miss

Greenetrack wins major victory for gaming in Greene County by recent decision of the Alabama Tax Tribunal

Oakland Post

Click to comment

#NNPA BlackPress

NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts found Darius Cooper with nine seconds left for the game winning touchdown as his team beat the Tennessee Titans 24-20 in Nashville. Hurts finished the day 26/37 for 264 yards. He threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions. Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 […]
The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Prior to the final drive, the Eagles ran 25 plays for 45 yards. During the final drive Hurts went 6-8 with 61 passing yards and the touchdown. Titans defensive tackle — and team captain — Jeffery Simmons said this week that the way to defend Jalen Hurts is to make him “play quarterback.”

Hurts said to Simmons after today’s game: “You started that sh**. I had to finish it.”

Running back Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in the first half but he ultimately finished the game. He had four carries and nine yards and one catch for eleven yards. He will get an MRI for his injury, but admitted to Cameron Wolfe of the NFL Network he was fine.

Caleb Williams leaves game against Vikings with apparent lower-body injury

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams was helped off the field with a right leg injury with 7:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams was down, writhing in pain after scrambling to his left. After departing the injury tent, Williams raised his right fist, acknowledging the crowd while expressing his frustration. Testing will commence on Monday to find out more details about his injury.

“We’ll know tomorrow,” Johnson admitted regarding Williams’ injury. “He’s in good spirits. He’s a team player.”

Williams finished the day with 138 passing yards and one interception.

“I’m actually happy it’s nothing with the knee — that was my first inclination,” Johnson said. “But, a hamstring could be pretty damaging as well. So, we’ll see. We’ll see how bad it is tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”

Bryce Young once again dominated the Falcons

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young is 5-1 against the Atlanta Falcons and is undefeated at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Today, Young threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns as he led the Panthers to a 34-3 dismembering of the Atlanta Falcons. Georgia Tech alumnus Darren Waller caught two touchdowns and linebacker Devin Lloyd returned one of his two interceptions for a touchdown.

Cooper Rush started his second straight game for the Falcons and it did not go well. The partisan crowd voiced their displeasure after Rush completed 10/17 passes for 86 yards and two interceptions. Jack Strand entered the game for Rush prompting cheers from the Falcons fans. The rookie threw a pick-six on his first career pass attempt. Strand was the first QB to accomplish that feat since Sam Darnold in 2018 and is the first Falcons player to do that since Brett Favre in 1991. Strand finished the day with 59 passing yards and 16 rushing yards.

According to reports, quarterback Michael Penix, Jr. is expected to make his season debut this Thursday at the Green Bay Packers. His return should help the Falcons. They are the first team since the 2008 Rams to not run any plays in the red zone after the first two games to open a season.

The bright spots for the Falcons today were the Spelman College Jaguarettes performing with the Falcons cheerleaders and Florida A&M’s marching band, The Marching 100, also performed during halftime!

Jayden Daniels gets carted off after apparent arm injury

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels appeared to injure his left elbow on the final play of the first half in his game against the Dallas Cowboys. During the play, Daniels got stepped on, braced himself for the fall, and his elbow bent the wrong way. Daniels draped a towel over his head as he exited the field on the cart.

He was later ruled out.

Daniels suffered a dislocated elbow to the same arm during week nine of last season against the Washington Commanders, which led to him being shut down for the remainder of the season.

The post NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win

Master the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework with Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt. Learn every stage, tactic, and win!
The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Negotiation framework stages, tactics, and winning strategies from AutoNetwork

Roosevelt Gist and Roosevelt deliver the complete vehicle-purchase negotiation framework in Episode 8 of The Color of Our Money Is Green. This episode covers the three foundations of every effective negotiation, the full seven-stage negotiation sequence with exact language for every stage, and five of the most common dealership tactics with the specific response each one requires.
What You Learn in This Episode:
The three foundations that make every negotiation tactic work
The complete seven-stage car-buying negotiation sequence
Exact language for every stage of the dealership conversation
Five common dealership tactics — the turnover, the four-square, the packed payment, spot delivery, and forced add-ons — and how to counter each one
Why signing preliminary paperwork isn’t the same as signing the final contract
___________________________________________________________________
“The Color of Our Money Is Green: A Buyer’s Guide to What Cars Actually Cost” — stan.store/RGist
____________________________________________________________________
AutoNetwork helps serious car shoppers inspect any new vehicle online before walking into a dealership. I’m Roosevelt — I’ve been reviewing cars and shaping digital car buying and credit union auto leasing since before YouTube car reviews existed.
You’ll find detailed walkaround reviews, POV test drives, and buyer-focused breakdowns covering comfort, space, features, and real-world value.

How to use the channel:
Watch the walkaround of the car you’re considering
Visit AutoNetwork.com for the full review
Check CouponsOffersAndDeals.com for current dealer specials
Walk in already knowing what you want — and what it should cost

AutoNetwork.com
CouponsOffersAndDeals.com
Affiliate disclosure: some links earn a small commission at no cost to you and help support the channel. Insta360 is one of those partners.

The post The Complete Negotiation Framework — Every Stage, Every Tactic, Every Win appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts

Stay toasty in the CX-90! Plush Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, and a memory-equipped heated steering wheel deliver ultimate luxury.
The post Mazda CX-90 Luxury: Heated Seats & Premium Comfort! #shorts appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 20, 2026

Oakland Post

Mazda CX-90 interior with heated seats offering premium comfort.

Experience ultimate comfort in the CX-90. Nappa leather, heated/ventilated seats, 8-way power adjustments, and memory settings for both front passengers. The heated steering wheel with memory tilt/telescope adds premium convenience.

Watch the full video: https://youtu.be/EH5A4eQ4ipY