AfroLit Alcove was founded by Sheymirra Lawson back in 2024 when she felt there was a gap in popular literature that she wanted to help fill in her community. (Sheymirra Lawson)

If you’ve been to a festival or pop-up market around Birmingham lately, you may have spotted a bright, book-filled tent or a fully stocked trailer parked among the vendors. AfroLit Alcove is a mobile and pop-up bookstore founded by Sheymirra Lawson dedicated to amplifying Black voices, one story at a time.

Here’s everything you need to know about this local business, its inspiring origin story and where you can catch it next.

What is AfroLit Alcove?

AfroLit Alcove is a mobile/pop-up bookstore that curates books written by Black authors for readers of every age and background.

Lawson personally selects every title on her shelves, putting special attention into selecting a variety of books such as:

Board books
Picture books
Early chapter books
Young adult + adult fiction
Nonfiction
Christian books
Cookbooks
and more!

She’s also steadily building out an LGBTQ+ section.

“It’s books for everybody, from babies to adults, in a variety of different genres.”

Beyond books, AfroLit Alcove carries plushies, t-shirts, mugs and card games. For those who prefer to listen rather than read, a link to Libro.fm audiobooks is available on the website so customers can support a local bookstore even if physical books aren’t their thing.

Why Sheymirra Lawson started a mobile bookstore

Lawson launched AfroLit Alcove in July 2024, and the idea grew out of a very personal place.

“The current political climate is what inspired me to start it. When I started it, I was feeling at the time that as a Black woman, I was being erased. As the mother of a Black son, I was fearful for my son’s life. And as a woman, I also felt like my rights were being taken away.”

For Lawson, AfroLit Alcove became a way to protect and preserve culture and community history — and make sure it gets passed down to future generations.

Where to Find AfroLit Alcove Around Birmingham

AfroLit Alcove sets up in two different formats depending on the event: a custom 10-by-10 tent or a built-out trailer complete with shelving for a fuller shopping experience.

Lawson typically books four to five events a month, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch her around town. Be sure to stop by the AfroLit Alcove at these upcoming Birmingham-area pop-ups:

Friday, July 24 @ 4 PM — Magic City Pop Up at Railroad Park
Saturday, July 25 @ 4 PM — The Modern Green Book Pop Up at City Walk (across from Eugene’s Hot Chicken)

What’s next for AfroLit Alcove

Lawson has big plans for the future. Her goal is to upgrade from the trailer to a fully built-out sprinter van or minibus, giving her a true mobile bookstore vehicle she can drive directly into communities — especially areas that are “book deserts” where access to books is limited. Down the road, she’d also love to open a brick-and-mortar storefront to complement the mobile setup.