photo courtesy of W . Paul Coates
W . Paul Coates has become the guardian of some of the world ’ s most important Black voices .
“ I had never heard of , or seen , anything like it , but it was beautiful , and I bought it on the spot ,” Coates recalled . Over the next 53 years , Coates has bought and republished thousands of books . The authors have been some of the most influential and widely read in the nation – from W . E . B . Du Bois to Walter Mosely . He has published insightful and enlightening original works by Black scholars Yosef Ben-Jochannan , John Henrik Clarke and John G . Jackson .
In October 2024 , Coates , who is 78 , received The National Book Foundation ’ s Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community .
“ As a librarian , publisher , and community activist , W . Paul Coates has been instrumental in preserving the legacy of remarkable writers and elevating works that have shaped our personal and collective understanding of the Black experience within the borders of the United States and around the globe ,” said Ruth Dickey , Executive Director of the National Book Foundation . “ Coates has demonstrated for more than 40 years the importance of reading the past
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