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Antiracist Action Plan

Under the Umbrella Bookstore and owner Kaitlyn Mahoney believe that Black Lives Matter. As a white business owner, I am committed to taking real action to dismantle white supremacy personally, in the store, and in the community. This action plan is a starting point to demonstrate the steps we plan to take to create an inclusive and affirming space for all people of color. I am white, so I recognize that there are limits to how comfortable we can make this space for people of color, but I want to make it clear upfront to other white people that this space will prioritize the safety, accessibility, and comfort of people of color over white comfort.

 

Store employees and volunteers are expected to adhere to this action plan, and everyone who visits the store is expected to follow our Safer Spaces Policy (coming soon).

 

This is a living document! If you have suggestions for how we as a business can do better with our antiracism efforts, please email hello@undertheumbrellabookstore.com.

Action Plan

We commit to taking the following actions:

  • Perform an equity and inclusion audit on our current inventory and publicly post the results. We will incorporate this audit into our yearly inventory process moving forward.

  • Ensure that at least 50% of the books facing out on the shelves inside the store are written by BIPOC.

  • Indicate books with POC and Indigenous authors with specific bookmarks to make it as easy as possible to identify these narratives.

  • Use our in-store displays and newsletter to highlight BIPOC authors each month, including Black History Month, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Indigenous Peoples Day, and more.

  • Ensure that at least 50% of our wholesale and consignment stock is made by BIPOC artisans and small businesses. Perform an annual audit and share this information publicly.

  • Use our social platforms to highlight and lift BIPOC voices, including highlighting at least one book per week written by a BIPOC author.

  • Provide financial and volunteer support to organizations promoting social justice.

  • Ensure that at least half of the monthly 5% donations from our community curation shelf go to BIPOC-led organizations and initiatives.

  • Donate 5% of sales from our monthly staff picks shelf to an Indigenous-led organization (currently, Carry the Water Garden)

  • Request that 50% of the books discussed at book clubs hosted at the store be written by BIPOC authors and provide recommendations as necessary.

  • Ensure that at least 50% of the books we share with our Sustaining Members are written by BIPOC authors.

  • Ensure that at least 40% of the books I (Kaitlyn) read each month are written by BIPOC authors. Require that any future employees read at least 40% BIPOC authors each month.

  • Host an annual fundraiser for an Indigenous-led organization around Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

  • Offer free and/or sliding scale ticket options to all store events, with priority given to BIPOC attendees.

  • Ensure that events hosted at the store that discuss BIPOC and BIPOC perspectives are led by people from those communities.

  • Prioritize BIPOC vendors and artists at store-run events, including popup markets and art gallery space.

  • Offer consignment terms for Indigenous and Black makers at 80/20 instead of the traditional 60/40 split for other makers. 

  • Personally add at least one $20 gift card per month to the Give & Take Wall for a BIPOC customer.

  • Establish a Safer Spaces Policy to be posted here by the end of 2023.

  • Create a Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity training for all volunteers and employees by the end of 2023.

  • Donate diverse books to schools and organizations that support youth of color.

  • Promote local small businesses run by people of color.

  • Divest from partnerships with organizations that support white supremacy.

  • Take advantage of opportunities provided by the American Bookseller’s Association and other industry groups to participate in antiracist workshops and activities.

  • We will not purchase tickets to conferences or conventions where less than 20% of the speakers are from underrepresented groups and will advocate for underrepresented groups to be represented at these events. 

  • We will not participate in events or panels that do not have BIPOC panelists or organizers and will advocate for BIPOC to be represented at these events.

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We also commit to making our space as accessible as possible. You can review our accessibility information on our Accessibility page. Learn more about our commitment to supporting local Indigenous communities on our Land Acknowledgement page.

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