Latest news with #UrbanReads
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Yahoo
Black-Owned Baltimore Bookstore Targeted By Racist Harassment
The owner of Urban Reads Bookstore in Baltimore, Tia Hamilton, told CBS News that her shop has been intimidated and targeted by progressively worsening racial harassment on online forums. Since its founding in 2019, Hamilton used Urban Reads to promote literacy and uplift the Black community. In her magazine, State vs. Us, Hamilton discusses mass incarceration and systemic racism, highlighting the voices of those who have been wrongfully incarcerated in her pieces. She believes that her advocacy has made her a target for racist threats to Urban Reads. On her Instagram, Hamilton has posted a series of screenshots documenting the disturbing social media threats to bring awareness to Urban Reads' plight. However, the severity has been getting worse, and it's taken a toll on Hamilton's mental health. She expressed, 'I still haven't really eaten, you know, and I'm barely sleeping…I'm angry, and I'm angry because this is a faceless enemy. 'I've always gotten threats, but things really started up on the 20th [of February].' After Feb. 20, Hamilton explained that she began receiving disturbing online messages through State vs. Us's Facebook. It began showing up on other social media accounts for Urban Reads as well. Hamilton said, 'We're really supposed to be coming together – but instead their hate runs so deep that they want to hate me.' It eventually got so severe that Hamilton reached out to the city of Baltimore, including Mayor Brandon Scott. She additionally made a post on Instagram, calling for men and volunteers to help protect her store. The local advocacy group — The Tendea Family — stepped in to help her. The group, founded by Elijah Miles, sent several men to guard Urban Reads following the threats. The Black community group's goal is 'to protect women, children and elders, to stop the violence, to save the youth, to shift the culture, to rebuild this commUNITY!' Other members of the Baltimore community have rallied around Hamilton. Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos announced that the incident is being investigated as a hate crime. Ramos told news outlets, 'I feared for her safety. We're going to have to find a way that there are more protocols and ways that these things can be measured. I think this is going to grow. When something like this happens, we feel that kind of pride in our city is being tested. We're not going to let it. The thing about Baltimore is that we care for our own, absolutely.' Hamilton has confirmed that although the threats and comments have persisted, she refuses to let Urban Reads be bullied out of being an activist. She intends to continue uplifting the Baltimore community and doing literacy work for those in need. RELATED CONTENT: Black Business Owner Receives Racist Email From Client Demanding Refund After Discovering 'You're a Person of Color'
CBS News
06-03-2025
- CBS News
Baltimore bookstore faces racist attacks, local leaders, organizations show support
Tia Hamilton, the owner of Urban Reads Bookstore in Waverly, says her shop has been the target of overt racial harassment online, and intimidation. Hamilton said she founded Urban Reads in 2019 after searching for a place to sell her publication, State Vs Us Magazine. She says Urban Reads is not just a bookstore but a way to promote literacy, "uplift and liberate the Black community," and encourage literacy. Through her magazine, Hamilton says she aims to shed light on mass incarceration and systemic racism while providing those who have been wrongfully incarcerated a platform where they can be heard. Talking about those controversial subjects is what Hamilton says made her the target of racist comments and threats. "I've always gotten threats, but things really started up on the 20th," Hamilton told WJZ. On February 20, Hamilton said she began receiving online messages through her magazine's Facebook accounts. After speaking out about the threats, she said the harassment worsened, spreading to the social media and email accounts tied to Urban Reads. "We're really supposed to be coming together - but instead their hate runs so deep that they want to hate me," Hamilton said. Hamilton said the racist comments and hundreds of threats prompted her to reach out to Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, who referred the incident to Baltimore City Police. Community offers support "It wasn't just about supporting a fellow Baltimorean," Scott told the Baltimore Banner. "As a Black man, I always look forward to protecting Black women. We're just not going to stand for it." Concerned for her safety, Hamilton made a post on Instagram, asking specifically for men who would volunteer to help protect the store. That's when Hamilton said a local group, the Tendea Family, stepped in to help. Founded by Elijah Miles, the mission of the Tendea Family is to protect women, children, and elders, reduce violence, and advance the Black community in Baltimore - per the organization's website. The group sent several men to stand guard and protect the store. Hamilton thanked the Tendea family in an Instagram post. However the Tendea family was not the only group that showed support. Hamilton says she's communicated with Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos, and that the incident is being investigated as a hat crime. "I feared for her safety. We're going to have to find a way that there are more protocols and ways that these things can be measured," Ramos told the Baltimore Banner. "I think this is going to grow. When something like this happens, we feel that kind of pride in our city is being tested. We're not going to let it. The thing about Baltimore is that we care for our own, absolutely." While the comments have continued, Hamilton says she "will not be bullied." She said that in addition to remaining vocal, she will continue to pursue what she's passionate about - uplifting her community.
