After reading Sandra Jackson-Opoku's The River Where Blood is Born, Anntoinette S. The events have spun off into personally satisfying ventures for many of Sisterspace's volunteers and spiritual godmothers. Venise Berry, author of All of Me, A Voluptuous Tale, held a two-hour workshop that explored "Women, Weight and Wellness: Challenging Myths," and inspirational author Sharon Ewell Foster led a Christian fiction seminar for writers. It is an environment that encourages authors to expand, if they wish, beyond the traditional signing and reading format. California Cooper, bell hooks, Sonia Sanchez, Randall Robinson, Tavis Smiley and other writers promoting their books.
There are yoga classes, workshops for aspiring writers, an investment club, readings, a single mother's support group and a spiritual circle that meets for an hour each Monday afternoon. "Sisters bring their skills to the table and leave their egos at the door," says Burton, who also serves as executive director of the African American Women's Resource Center, Sisterspace's not-for-profit organization.Ī visit to Sisterspace on any given day reveals a wide range of activity aimed at nurturing the mind, body and spirit. Collectively, they have developed a wealth of resources and experience and have become a clearinghouse for information. Sisterspace relies on assistance from the community and a core group of talented supporters. While there may not have been an immediate solution to a problem, there was always a listening ear.īurton and Williams soon realized they could not run their business and provide one-on-one attention to each concern. Sisterspace quickly became a meeting place, an oasis and a safe haven for women to come to talk about their issues-health, career, family, romance and finance. Today, Sisterspace specializes in books, magazines, posters, cards, tapes and other items that "reflect the vast literary experiences of African American women." Since November of 1994 co-founders Cassandra Burton and Faye Williams have nurtured Sisterspace from a shelf of books for sale in a boutique to a bona fide community resource for black women.
The posters on the walls unabashedly celebrate the achievements of black women. There are books on the shelves by Toni Morrison, Octavia Buffer, Alice Walker, Connie Briscoe, Shay Youngblood and others. Indeed, visitors to Sisterspace and Books in Washington, D.C., immediately realize they are in a special place. "Once you walk in, you can't leave," says Shireen Mitchell. How D.C's seven-year Sisterspace & Books has evolved into a community resource center
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