“Readers are leaders, and knowledge is power,” says Bunnie Hilliard, the Founder, Owner, and Shopgirl at Brave and Kind Bookshop. Since opening in Oakhurst in September 2018, the children’s bookstore has offered a space that prioritizes representation and inclusivity in the stories it shares. Not as a section of the store but the entire store, with stories highlighting the beauty and strength of diversity.
The mother of two found it difficult when her children were younger to find stories that resonated with the children she wanted to raise. Looking to excite her young daughter and her friends about reading, Hilliard started the Giggle Girls book club, the early beginnings of what is now Brave and Kind. Its mission is to raise inclusive and inspired children, by finding stories that allow them to be seen.
In addition to children’s and young adult books, there is also a beautifully curated section for adults, designed to help people find something that inspires and encourages them to be more productive in areas that they find challenging.
“I’m very proud that we are a Black-owned and women-run bookshop. I walked into this space in 2018 to ask the current owner how she had this idea that turned into this beautiful business, and by the end of our conversation, she was offering me the space.
I like to think that this space chose me. I couldn’t be prouder of what we have created, and the crew of women that help me to share this beautiful collection of stories with families and schools and in hearts and homes, but also the stories of what it means to be a person of color and a woman in the world,” says Hilliard.
Actively engaged in the community, Brave and Kind Bookshop has a Book of the Month club and brings authors to the space and local Title 1 schools, among other events. The shop has launched a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) for teens ages 13-18, interested in all things book-related.
On October 23, they will be hosting acclaimed actress and author Anika Noni Rose, who voices Disney princess Tiana, to discuss her new children’s book about Tiana.
The team is planning a Fall festival to highlight businesses in Oakhurst. Another Brave and Kind initiative is the Atlanta Indie Bookshop Crawl - mark your calendars for the third annual later this year.
For more info on the store and events visit www.braveandkindbooks.com