By: Natalie Pipkin
Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore, Indy's first bookstore on wheels, has partnered with DIP-IN to provide free books to community members in the Near West neighborhoods.
Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore is an all-ages bookstore on wheels celebrating Black life, heritage, and joy. Natalie Pipkin, the founder and owner, is on a mission to provide access and awareness to Black stories and create excitement and engagement around reading.
Once you see Natalie park her colorful, renovated shuttle bus and hear the music playing from the outdoor speakers, excitement is inevitable. When entering Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore you feel as if you are stepping into a whole new world. Inspired by her two sons who are also the logo, Natalie established Black Worldschoolers as an online bookstore in December 2020, prioritizing Black stories and authors, across all genres from around the world and for all ages.
Her one-of-a-kind mobile bookstore experience was established in June 2022 and has been compared to an ice cream truck or a party bus due to the joyful energy it brings to neighborhoods.
Since the debut of their bookstore on wheels, Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore has been featured in several media outlets including Indy Star, Sports Illustrated, Scripps News, and even Oprah's BookClub!
Natalie made her first two stops on the book giveaway tour in the We Care and Hawthorne neighborhoods during May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month to help spread the wellness benefits of reading for all people, especially those managing their diabetes diagnosis.
Did you know that reading can reduce stress by 68%? Community members can choose a book sponsored by DIP-IN and receive a bookmark, coloring page, stickers, and more facts about reading as a wellness tool.
The Mobile Bookstore will be visiting Haughville and Stringtown neighborhoods over the next few weeks. Be sure to follow Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore on all social media sites and visit their website. Upcoming dates will be posted here on the DIP-IN website.
