ALKEBU-LAN IMAGES BOOKSTORE

07/27/2026

We had the privilege yesterday to hear TSU President Emeritus Dr. Glenda Glover talk about her ground-shaking new book: How Dare You! Her book lays plain the state of Tennessee's decades long misappropriation of funding for the university an how ardently it's fought to shirk its federally mandated responsibilities. She also kindly dropped off copies of her book at Alkebu-Lan Images where you can find copies for sale!

06/14/2026

You are invited!

Friends,

Freedom didn’t arrive all at once, and it didn’t arrive on time. On June 19, 1865, Union troops reached Galveston, the last corner of the Confederacy still holding people in bo***ge. Even then, slavery persisted in places like Kentucky until the 13th Amendment passed that December. Juneteenth marks freedom as it actually came: late, partial, hard-won. That’s exactly why we’re still asking what it means.

This Juneteenth, come ask it with us.

What Does It Mean To Be Free?
A Juneteenth Speakers Corner on Jefferson Street
Thursday, June 18 · 3–7 PM · drop in anytime
Alkebu-Lan Images · 2721 Jefferson St, Nashville, TN 37208

This isn’t a lecture, and it isn’t only a party. It’s both, and it builds through the
afternoon. Come early for Slim’s Smoqe Signals BBQ and the music from Black Lion Sound System, then stay for the conversation as it deepens. Whether you arrive at 3 or roll through at 5, you’ll be walking into something still unfolding.
Across the afternoon we’ll turn one question over from four directions, each opened with a poem, a passage, and a book from our shelves, guided by a circle of community voices:

1 What does it mean to be free?
2 What is the cost of freedom, and who has paid it?
3 Are we free enough, and how do we hold the freedom we have?
4 What are we building for those not yet free?

Come and go as your day allows. Bring a poem, a passage, or a few words of your own if the spirit moves you, or simply come to listen. Both are honored here.

RSVP — It’s Free » (https://tickets.alkebulanimages.com/event/5/what-does-it-mean-to-be-free-a-juneteenth-speakers-corner)

Free and open to all. We just ask that you RSVP so we know to expect you.
Won’t you celebrate with us?
The Alkebu-Lan Images Family

Check out our event on Thursday, Jun 18, 2026.

Click here for event details from Alkebu-Lan Images!

06/06/2026

We're kicking off Juneteenth weekend with a special Speakers Corner event with BBQ by SmoQe Signals and beats by DJ Kwesi Be!

Join us Thursday, June 18th from 3 to 7 as we gather around the theme: What does it mean to be free?

Paired with readings of Classic Black Poetry and Prose, we will discuss the following prompts:

● What does it mean to be free?

● What is the cost of freedom? Who has paid it?

● Are we free enough? How are we maintaining our freedom?

● What are we building for those not yet free?

04/15/2026

03/15/2026

You are invited!

Forty years ago, Alkebu-Lan Images opened its doors on Jefferson

Street with a mission to center Black culture, knowledge, and
community. You've been part of that story — and we're not done yet.

We're throwing a 40th Anniversary Block Party and we want you there.

Check out our event on Wednesday, Apr 1, 2026.

Click here for event details from Alkebu-Lan Images!

03/05/2026

When the people meant to protect us cause harm — how do we heal? How do we fight back?

Author Anjanette L. Young has lived that question. Victim of a 2019 wrong-door police raid in Chicago, she emerged with a story and a mission. Her new book Past the Pain is both memoir and roadmap.

She'll be at Alkebu-Lan Images this Saturday, March 8 from 11AM–2PM. Don't miss it.

📍 Nashville's Black Bookstore
🕚 11AM – 2PM

CommunityHealing JeffersonStreet BlackLit

12/29/2025

Join us as we celebrate the 4th principle of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa, here at Alkebu-Lan Images in partnership with AACA, the Jefferson Street Historical Society, and MOJO Impact Collective. Our owner Jordan Harris will lead a conversation in community with Monchieré Holmes-Jones of Mojo. Event starts at 6pm and light refreshments will be available. Seating is limited so a timely arrival is strongly suggested.

12/27/2025

You are invited!

Join us this Monday at 6:00 pm as we celebrate Ujamaa, the 4th principle of Kwanzaa! Ujamaa is the day we reflect on Cooperative Economics and the direction is "To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together."

Jordan Harris, the owner of Alkebu-Lan Images, and Monchieré Holmes-Jones, founder of Mojo Impact Collective will lead a discussion on what it means to practice Ujamaa on Jefferson St. Light refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited so a timely arrival is suggested!

Check out our event on Monday, Dec 29, 2025.

Click here for event details from Alkebu-Lan Images!