A Bookstore for Liberty City, A Legacy for Danny Agnew

On March 23, 2025, we came together to celebrate the 36th birthday of Danny Agnew, our beloved brother, leader, and visionary. But this was more than just a birthday celebration—this is a call to action.

Roots Bookstore & Market is more than just a bookstore. It’s a home for Black storytelling, a refuge for banned books, and a place where our history is preserved, our knowledge is passed down, and our future is imagined. Located in the heart of Liberty City, this space will be a beacon of culture, learning, and community building.

But we need your help to open our doors and make this vision a reality.

Urgent Need: Raise $10,000 by March 31st

We must secure $10,000 by March 31st to cover flood insurance and county taxes. This is a non-negotiable cost that must be handled before we can break ground on transforming this space.

Without this, we risk setbacks that could delay our ability to serve the community. Every single donation right now gets us closer to securing our home.

Our Goal: $25,000 to Build the Future

Beyond our immediate need, we are raising a total of $25,000 to create a space that reflects the richness of our culture, the depth of our knowledge, and the legacy of our community.

Your donations will directly fund:

$5,000 – Bookshelves & Furniture (Custom shelves, display tables, seating areas for reading and events)

$4,000 – New Windows (Enhancing safety, insulation, and natural light)

$3,000 – Painting & Interior Renovations (Creating a warm, inviting, and inspiring atmosphere)

$3,000 – Lighting & Electrical Upgrades (Setting the stage for events, workshops, and cozy reading spaces)

$5,000 – Exterior & Deck Construction (An outdoor space for storytelling, poetry readings, and community gatherings)

$10,000 – Flood Insurance & County Taxes (DUE BY MARCH 31ST) (Ensuring we can legally and safely operate this space for years to come)

This isn’t just about building a bookstore—this is about creating an institution that will outlive us all.

Donation Tiers – Be a Part of History

$25 – Buys a banned book to add to our collection.

$50 – Helps us build one new bookshelf for the store.

️ $100 – Supports renovations like fresh paint and lighting.

$250 – Contributes to new windows, enhancing safety and comfort.

$500+ – Your photo will be featured on our future mural wall, honoring those who helped build this space.

✨ All donors will be recognized at our community event on March 23rd! ✨

Why This Matters

Fighting Censorship: A Home for Banned Books

Across the country, books by Black authors and about Black history are being removed from schools and libraries. Florida is at the center of this censorship, banning books like:

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Black Panther comics by Ta-Nehisi Coates

A History of Florida: Through Black Eyes by Marvin Dunn

At Roots Bookstore & Market, these books will have a permanent home—where they can be read, studied, and shared freely. No one will tell us what we can or cannot read.

Honoring Danny’s Vision

Danny Agnew dedicated his life to uplifting Black men, building strong communities, and creating safe spaces for learning and growth. This bookstore is the fulfillment of his dream—a space where people can come together, learn from each other, and build something greater than themselves.

If you ever had a conversation with Danny, you know that he believed in us. He believed that we had the power to change our lives and our communities. This space carries that belief forward.

What Your Donation Supports

✔️ A Safe and Beautiful Space – Your donation ensures we have a secure, insured, and renovated space for learning and gathering.

✔️ A Library of Liberation – You’re funding the purchase of banned books, radical works, and Black literature that must be preserved.

✔️ Community Programs & Events – Your support helps us host workshops, poetry readings, and educational events for all ages.

✔️ A Permanent Home for Black Knowledge – Roots Bookstore & Market will stand as an institution that outlives us, serving generations to come.

How You Can Help

Donate now – Even $25 puts a banned book into someone’s hands.

Share this campaign – Post on social media, text your people, and spread the word.

Attend our March 23rd event – Celebrate, build, and see the impact of your support.

This is more than a bookstore.

Let’s create something that will last beyond us.

Donate today. Build with us. Create a future where our stories are never erased.

#RootsBookstore #BannedBooks #BlackLiteracyMatters #SupportBlackBookstores #DannyAgnewLegacy #longliveDanny