We had the good fortune of connecting with Manina Beale-Bush and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Manina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I’m an avid reader of all books and I remembered as kid how books written by african americans were shelved in the back of the store under “urban literature”. At 15 years old trying to figure out why my favorite romance authors wasn’t with the other authors in romance. This infuriated me on how Blacks in literature (life really) are treated. Fast forward almost 20 years and I’m thinking on what business I wanted for myself and I remembered this feeling. I wanted to walk into a bookstore and see “ME” represented throughout the entire store. I created Legacy BookBar on the promise that black authors would have a home for their books.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My life as had hard and easy moments! I try not to dwell on the hard moments. I acknowledge why those moments were hard and try not to place myself in positions to have repeats moments. I absolutely treasure the happy moments like my children being born, watching my oldest graduate high school and go to NYU, starting my own business etc. Life is a series of lessons and you learn from daily. How you respond to those lessons is up to the individual . I want the world to know that you can turn your dream into reality.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Baltimore and I’m huge homebody, sports fan that likes hanging out LOL but on my own time.. Pre-Covid 19 I’d probably take them to Jimmy’s Seafood Restaurant. They have some great crab pretzels and crab cakes. We’d go to one or three of the local malls in MD for some serious retail therapy. We’d definitely hit M&T Bank for a football game. Of course we’d stop by my bookstore and let her see how the vision has come to fruition. Then we’d relax, read and talk like a bunch of high school girls talking about our book boyfriends .Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Amanda Chamber- Owner of Divine Legacy Publishing, Karen and Purnell McDowell Kea Crowder Co-President of The Movement Team Non Profit based in Baltimore Terri Butler President of American Association of Empowered Women

Website: www.legacybookbar.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legacybookbar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Legacy-BookBar

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/LegacyBookBar

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