Community Spotlight: Celebrating For Keeps Books
This month, we’re taking a trip down memory lane to For Keeps Books, the home of our very first pop-up! As we get ready to celebrate five amazing years in business, we’re feeling extra grateful for the community that’s helped shape Portrait into what it is today.
Imagine a bookstore that’s more a kickback of old friends than a merchant of literature. A place where you might go deep down the rabbit hole of the Black diaspora and make a new best friend. That’s the magic Rosa Duffy has created at For Keeps Books, a unique bookstore where our community can dive into rare and classic Black literature.
Rosa began her journey collecting Black literature during her time in art school in New York City at just 18. As she told 11 Alive, “Growing up, my parents always instilled in me the importance of our history. The fact that people can come in, learn about themselves, and then be interested in learning more is what I love most about this space.”
We deeply appreciate Rosa’s dedication to curating a collection of rare, hard-to-find, and classic books by African and African American authors. What makes For Keeps even more special is its location on Auburn Avenue, an Atlanta neighborhood rich in Black history—truly the perfect spot for this cultural treasure.
photo by Ben Rollins
But it’s more than just a bookstore; For Keeps is a welcoming space for our community to connect with and celebrate our heritage. While we at Portrait Coffee curate brews that honor their origins and notable Black figures, For Keeps Books curates a selection that honors, remembers, and elevates Black literature—both the well-known and the unsung heroes.
We’re kindred spirits in creating a new narrative around Black culture, celebrating these stories, and preserving our cultural heritage. Together, we embody the transformative power of shared experiences and collective knowledge.
Perfectly situated on Auburn Avenue, For Keeps Books is a vital space for our community and Black culture. For more info, visit For Keeps Books.
