Keep Third World Press Alive for Future Generations

Third World Press (TWP) is more than a publisher – it’s a cultural institution. Founded in 1967 by Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti (a poet, educator, and pioneer of the Black Arts Movement), TWP stands as the oldest independent Black-owned publishing house in the United States​

and one of the last surviving Black Arts Movement institutions​.

For nearly 58 years, we have stayed true to our mission: uplifting Black voices, educating our community, and honoring the legacy of African-centered literature. Over the decades, TWP has published legendary authors like Gwendolyn Brooks, Sonia Sanchez, Amiri Baraka, and many others​, ensuring that Black stories and perspectives find their rightful place in American literature.

A Legacy Under Threat in a Changing Publishing Landscape:

Like many independent publishers, Third World Press now faces unprecedented challenges. The publishing world has changed dramatically in recent years, and we are fighting to adapt to a new reality:

Declining Book Sales: Nationwide, book sales have slumped (overall U.S. consumer book sales fell by about 6.6% in 2024,​

shrinking the revenue that small presses depend on.

Fewer people are buying physical books, and those who do often turn to big-box retailers or online giants, making it harder for community-based presses like TWP to survive.

Digital Disruption: The rise of e-books, audiobooks, and online platforms has transformed how readers discover and consume books. While embracing these innovations has allowed us to reach new audiences, it also means competing in a tech-driven marketplace where mega-retailers hold the power. Getting noticed on global websites or navigating costly online marketing programs can be an uphill battle for a small press​.

. We’ve kept pace as best we can – even launching an eBook platform and social media outreach to modernize our operations​, but the digital revolution continues to strain traditional publishing models.

Aging Infrastructure: Our home base on Chicago’s South Side is a beloved but aging building, and maintaining it comes at a high cost. In late 2022, a burst pipe in our headquarters’ basement flooded our inventory, destroying nearly $200,000 worth of books​.

That devastating loss was a harsh reminder that our physical infrastructure, built decades ago, needs care and upgrades. Thanks to an outpouring of community support, we replaced the ruined books; however, the incident left us with hefty recovery expenses and underscored the constant risk (and cost) of operating with old facilities and equipment.

Despite these headwinds, we have not lost faith.

Third World Press has always been a labor of love and a beacon of hope, and we are determined to continue our work in the face of adversity.

Doing More With Less:

We understand that survival in this new landscape requires change. Over the years, we have taken bold steps to streamline our operations and cut costs while staying true to our mission. In 2015, Dr. Madhubuti converted Third World Press into a nonprofit entity – the Third World Press Foundation – to adopt a more sustainable, community-centered business model​.

This change allows us to seek donations and grants, and ensures that every dollar we receive goes directly into publishing and educational programs rather than profits. We have also tightened our belts in practical ways: consolidating our offices, upgrading our technology, and embracing print-on-demand and digital distribution to reduce overhead. We no longer operate a costly brick-and-mortar bookstore, focusing instead on direct outreach and online sales. Our team is small but dedicated, often wearing multiple hats to keep expenses low. Every possible cost-saving measure, we have implemented – because we owe it to our readers and supporters to make the most of every resource. These efforts have made a difference. We’ve modernized aspects of our work (for example, embracing e-books and social media to engage younger readers​ and forged partnerships with other independent Black publishers to share printing and distribution when possible). Yet, even with these efficiencies, the truth is that the financial strain remains heavy. Operating an independent press of our size – with a substantial catalog and a physical facility – on a meager budget is an enormous challenge.

We have stretched every dollar; now we humbly ask for your help to reinforce our foundation.

Hope on the Horizon:

60 More Years of Voices & Vision

Despite the obstacles, we look to the future with passion and optimism. We refuse to give up on this institution because we believe deeply in the importance of what we do. Our resolve is strong: with your support, we intend to keep Third World Press thriving for another 60 years and beyond, nurturing new generations of writers and readers. Even now, in the midst of financial challenges, our creative output is as vibrant as ever. In the past year we have brought forth powerful new works that speak directly to the issues of our time, proving that Third World Press’s mission is as relevant today as it was in 1967. One of our recent publications, For Gaza’s Children, is a groundbreaking anthology that unites progressive Black, Brown, and Jewish writers and poets to speak out on behalf of the children of Palestine​

thirdworldpressfoundation.org

. This collection – released in early 2025 and guided by scholar-activist Dr. Marc Lamont Hill – exemplifies the global, multicultural solidarity that defines our vision. It channels the urgency of today’s human rights struggles through poetry and prose, and has already begun to stir conversation and compassion in the literary community. And we are not stopping there. In the coming months, we plan to publish a forthcoming book on Malcolm X that promises to be one of our most impactful releases yet. Titled Malcolm X, The CIA, and Other Blacks, this eye-opening work by acclaimed journalists Herb Boyd and Don Rojas delves into newly uncovered documents, shedding light on the surveillance and targeting of Malcolm X and other Black activists by government agencies​.

It’s the kind of bold, truth-telling project that few publishers are willing to undertake – but Third World Press was built to tell these stories. We are incredibly excited to bring this important piece of history to the public, continuing our tradition of publishing books that challenge, inspire, and educate. These publications are a testament to our unwavering commitment. We have so much more to give – more books by emerging Black poets and scholars, more educational programs for youth, more opportunities to amplify marginalized voices. We see a future where Third World Press not only survives but flourishes, expanding its catalog and its community impact. With your help, that future is within reach.

Why We’re Raising Funds:

Keep the Press Open for the Next 6 Months until we can obtain grant funding. (We are proud to announce that we've onboarded a new gratn-writer that is working hard to find funding in a climate where there are no Federal funds for institutions like ours).

To secure our operations in this critical period, we are launching this GoFundMe campaign with the specific goal of raising funds to cover Third World Press’s operational costs for the next six months. This funding bridge will give us the stability we need to:

Maintain Our Day-to-Day Operations: Your support will help pay for essential expenses like staff wages, utility bills, and facility upkeep. This means the lights stay on, the heat stays running in our building, and our small staff can continue managing book production, marketing, and order fulfillment without interruption. Six months of operating support will provide immediate breathing room as we work on longer-term solutions.

Print and Distribute Upcoming Titles: We are on the cusp of releasing the Malcolm X book and other projects. Funds will go toward printing costs, cover design, editing, and distribution for these works. Essentially, you will be directly fueling the publication of books that might otherwise be delayed or scaled back.

Upgrade Infrastructure & Prevent Crises: Part of what we raise will help address urgent infrastructure needs (such as repairing aging plumbing and improving our storage conditions) to prevent another catastrophic loss like the 2022 flood. We want to proactively protect our inventory and equipment.

Invest in Outreach and Sales Channels: To counteract declining sales, we need to expand our reach. Some funds will support outreach efforts – from organizing community book events, to bolstering our online storefront, to modest advertising of our new titles. By growing our audience, we aim to increase book sales and reduce reliance on emergency fundraising in the future.

Meeting this 6-month operating goal is make-or-break for us. It will ensure that we do not have to scale back our publishing schedule or make painful cuts that would weaken our mission. Instead, it empowers us to push forward full force – publishing the timely works we’ve promised, keeping our team intact, and continuing to serve as a literary home for Black voices.

Join Us: Be a Part of TWP’s Next Chapter

Third World Press has always been fueled by the people – by readers, writers, teachers, and supporters who believe in the power of words to transform lives. We’re asking you to join that proud tradition and stand with us at this pivotal moment. Your contribution to this campaign is not just a donation; it’s an investment in Black culture, education, and empowerment. When you support Third World Press, you support Black people – our stories, our heritage, our future​.

You ensure that a Black-owned institution can continue to shape the narrative, tell the truth, and celebrate the beauty of our community on our own terms. You keep alive a press that inspires children to read about heroes who look like them, that gives scholars and activists a platform to speak truth to power, and that preserves the voices of our elders and ancestors in print so they will never be forgotten. Our founder, Dr. Haki R. Madhubuti, now in his 80s, often reflects on why he started Third World Press in that Chicago apartment basement nearly six decades ago. It was because he knew Black literature mattered; he knew it could change minds and build institutions. Today, with your help, we are fiercely committed to seeing TWP reach its 100th anniversary and beyond – stronger, wiser, and still proudly independent. We have come this far through faith and determination; we believe we can go much further with a community of supporters rallying behind us. Every dollar truly makes a difference. Whether you can give $5 or $500, your support is deeply valued and will be put to immediate, tangible use. If you’re unable to donate, simply sharing this campaign with others who care about literature, diversity in publishing, or Black history and education is also a powerful way to help us. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for reading our story and caring about the future of Third World Press. Together, we can overcome these challenges. Together, we can ensure that this beacon of Black excellence in publishing not only survives but thrives. Let’s write the next chapter of Third World Press – one filled with hope, resilience, and continued service to the people. With your support, the presses will keep rolling, the books will keep reaching eager hands, and the voice of our community will remain loud, proud, and unbroken. Thank you for helping us keep Third World Press alive for generations to come.