HARLEM BOOK CENTER has played a very influential role in African American literature since it’s inception in 2004. Founded by SIDI (See Portfolio page and select Sidibe, Ibrahima), HARLEM BOOK CENTER has been the go-to place for all urban authors whether they were beginners trying to become established or if they were authors that had already made their mark. HBC featured book signings by Terri Woods (True to the Game, True to the Game II, & others), Treasure Blue (Harlem Girl Lost, A Street Girl Named Desire, & others), Danielle Santiago (Little Ghetto Girl, Gridin’: A Novel, & others), Carl Webber (Family Business, Family Business series, So You Call Yourself a Man, Baby Mama Drama, & others), Sadiq Banks (No Exit), Deja King (Bitch, Bitch Reloaded, The Bitch is Back, & others), and many other novelists including Kevin Young (Ghett OH Luv) who will be assisting with the workshop initiative training emerging African American authors.
In addition to the nonstop work of assisting authors, HARLEM BOOK CENTER also worked closely with and assisted Culture Plus and A & B Book Distributors, both icons in the distribution of African American literature. HBC assisted the well renown Apollo Theater with its publicity campaign to refamiliarize everyone with the great enterprise so that it can continue to do the great work that it has been doing for decades. While working with the Apollo Theater HARLEM BOOK CENTER sponsored several youths in the famous talent competition helping to give them a chance at achieving their dreams. And finally, HBC assisted Yassir Payne (Associate Professor of Black American Studies at the University of Delaware) in creating his much-publicized documentary entitled Streets of Harlem.
Moving forward, HARLEM BOOK CENTER has high aspirations for the many people that it wants to assist with its mentoring workshops. Aimed at helping New York City and surrounding area youth and other residents on becoming writers and book authors, HBC wants the prevalence of African American Literature to continue to grow so that our stories and the culture can be represented fully and authentically.
Sidibe Ibrahima (the founder of Harlem Book Center), affectionately called “Sidi,” was born and raised in Africa’s Ivory Coast until he moved to Germany in 1982. He attended college in Germany and developed his entrepreneurial spirit there before returning to the Ivory Coast to open Sidibe & Freres Distribution (an import & export company) in 1995.
In 2000, Sidi headed to America armed with his ability to speak seven different languages as well as write four and began working at a jewelry store for $3.50 and driving a cab. When he amassed $600 in savings, he opened his first table in Harlem selling books.In addition to selling books, Sidi began reading books from new publishing companies and giving them to other book vendors. Due to his business savvy and networking skills, he expanded to owning 5 book stands that encompasses various neighborhoods Brooklyn, New York.
Over the years, Sidi has helped many authors, including Terri Woods (Meow Meow Productions), Shannon Holmes (Triple Crown) Danielle Santiago (Little Ghetto Girl), Treasure E. Blue (Harlem Girl Lost), Al Saadiq Banks (No Exit, Bloc Party, Sincerely Yours), Mark Anthony (Paper Chasers, Dogism, Ladies Night), Antoine “Inch” Thomas (Flower’s Bed, No Regrets, Unwilling to Suffer), Anthony Whyte (Ghetto Girls I & II, Streets of New York), K’wan (Gangsta Road Dowgs, Street Dreams), Michael Evans (It Was All In the Cards) and many others by helping them in promoting their books. On the distribution side, Sidi has assisted Culture Plus and A&B distributors and Bigdealbooks.
Recently, he’s worked with Ashante Kahari, Homo Thug, and helped Ashante to amass 25,0000-50,000 in sales and become a best seller.
Sidi’s “starting small but thinking big” attitude has helped him to become the most well known seller of African American books in New York City. He is constantly sent books to sample as well as galley proofs prior to the book being printed. He pretty much has kept his finger on the pulse of African American book patrons and provided them with what they have both needed in wanted in quality literature. He has a natural instinct and knowledge of the ever increasing market for literature that many companies would spend countless dollars to acquire that market share.
Sidi’s desire to continue to be the premier source for quality literature prompted him to create Harlem Book Center (HBC), a publishing and distribution company in based in Harlem, NY. The first release from HBC is Fatou: An African Girl in Harlem, a novel that as actually penned by Sidi himself. Both HBC and “Fatou” are doing well in their infancy and are anticipated to surpass Sidi’s original expectations.
With Sidi already accomplishing so much, one would wonder what’s next. He actually wants HBC to be a huge publishing and distribution conglomerate that operates nationwide as well as internationally in France, England and other locales. As for his writing, Sidi has other project both on his mind and in the works.
Sidi’s desire for literature and culture to come together is evident in the work, “Fatou.” The culture of certain countries in Africa is explored as well as the fast-paced culture of New York City. The result is a riveting story of a young girl that quickly turns into a woman in America basically because she has no other choice. The heartfelt passages solidifies Sidi’s ability to bond with African American book patrons and primes him for a stellar writing career that will complement his success as a book seller.
With all of his natural talents and instincts, Sidi has accomplished many things in his young life. Be sure to visit Harlem Book Center at 106 West 137th Street, Suite 5D in New York, NY or visit him online at www.harlembookcenter.com [domain inactive] to keep abreast of current and ongoing projects.
