The murder of George Floyd, tragically joining an ever-growing list of murdered Black civilians, lays bare racism and bigotry in our country. The protests that have followed provoke a tipping point for systemic change. So, let us be clear—we stand with the Black community and all those seeking justice across the country, and are committed to becoming both part of the conversation and part of the solution.

At Barnes & Noble we believe it is in our power as readers to be informed, to react and to teach. Books are a conduit for learning, growing and providing insight into the lives and thoughts of those we may not know… but with whom we may discover we share much in common.

Right now, we are listening to and appreciate the many voices calling on us to stand up and support a more just society. This is how we learn, how we move forward. We are committed to engaging in this dialogue, not only with our stores and communities but with the publishing industry as well—to identify and promote books by Black writers and books that seek to educate us all on antiracism, racism, allyship and the ongoing movement for justice. We look also to address any inequities we see within our own walls.

We must take this moment to speak out, to take responsibility for our failings and to move toward a path of peace and recognition. As the great James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”