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DC’s MahoganyBooks is looking for a new flagship home

By Jeff Clabaugh
The National Harbor location of Mahogany Books.
The National Harbor location of MahoganyBooks. (Courtesy MahoganyBooks)

MahoganyBooks, a husband and wife venture launched in 2007 online to showcase books written for, by and about people of color, is looking for a new home for its original bookstore after losing its space at the Anacostia Arts Center in D.C.

The Center, at 1231 Marion Barry Avenue SE, closed in August for renovations.

MahoganyBooks still has locations at National Harbor and Reagan National Airport.

The Anacostia Arts Center is undergoing an 18-month renovation. Bookstore co-owner Ramunda Young did not identify a potential future location.

“As the Art Center closes for renovations we are looking for a location that better fits the needs of our business and customers,” Young said.

Finding a space for an independently owned, niche bookstore may be a challenge. Co-owner Derrick Young said they are looking for a middle ground where property owners and developers understand the value MahoganyBooks brings to the community, and are open to conversations with landlords who share their vision and will invest in a space.

Mahogany Books has one of the largest online inventories of books for, by and about people of the African diaspora, and was started in a one-bedroom apartment in Alexandria, Virginia. The Anacostia Art Center store opened in 2014. Its bookstores have hosted a wide range of African American authors, including well-known names such as President Barack Obama, Spike Lee and Marion Barry.

Massachusetts court hears arguments in lawsuit alleging Meta designed apps to be addictive to kids

By The Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts' highest court heard oral arguments Friday in the state's lawsuit arguing that Meta designed features on Facebook and Instagram to make them addictive to young users. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, alleges that Meta did this to make a profit and that its actions affected hundreds of thousands of teenagers in Massachusetts who use the social media platforms. “We are making claims based only on the tools that Meta has developed because its own research shows they encourage addiction to the platform in a variety of ways,” said State Solicitor David Kravitz, adding that the state's claim has nothing to do the company's algorithms or failure to moderate content. Meta said Friday that it strongly disagrees with the allegations and is “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.” Its attorney, Mark Mosier, argued in court that the lawsuit “would impose liabilities for performing traditional publishing functions” and that its actions are protected by the First Amendment.
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