Spotlight on a featured business in East Contra Costa County. This week, we hear from RP Books.

RP Books Brings Literary Community Hub to Old Town Pittsburg

At the corner of 5th and Railroad Avenue in Old Town Pittsburg, just across from John Buckley Square, a vibrant literary space is redefining what an independent bookstore can mean to a community. RP Books, the retail arm of Revision Publishing LLC, isn't just selling books. It's building connections, celebrating local voices, and ensuring that literacy and learning remain accessible to everyone who walks through its doors.

Dr. Sharifa Akilah Trinae Parr, who goes by Akilah, leads this ambitious venture with a clear mission rooted in her own experience. "I'm originally from Oakland, California, and that's kind of how I was born and raised in community," she explains. As both a resident and business owner in Pittsburg, where her daughter attends school and participates in local activities, Akilah's investment in the community runs deep. "I'm invested in not only growing my own business, but also making sure that she has the opportunities that she needs to be successful in her growing up experience, but also investing in this community as well, because I want to see it thrive as a resident, as a business owner, and as a community member."

More Than a Bookstore

RP Books operates as an independent bookstore carrying both used and new titles, with plans to expand their selection of newer books based on community reading interests. But the scope extends far beyond retail. Revision Publishing, the parent company, functions as an indie publishing firm that supports aspiring authors in bringing their works to life. Together, these two entities create what Akilah calls a "third space," a community hub where people gather for book launches, author events, and programs designed to foster connection and conversation.

The bookstore also offers rental space in its conference room and cafe area for nonprofit organizations, individuals planning events, or families celebrating special occasions like birthday parties. "We also host different organizations in our conference room, our cafe space," Akilah notes, highlighting the flexibility and community-centered approach that defines RP Books.

Immersive Experiences and Cultural Celebrations

What sets RP Books apart is its commitment to creating immersive experiences rather than simple transactions. The space regularly hosts independent authors for events that go beyond traditional book signings, fostering meaningful interactions between writers and readers. Recent initiatives have included a Black Excellence Marketplace celebrating Black Business Month and an upcoming marketplace honoring Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, providing pop-up opportunities for local businesses to connect with the community.

Long-time supporters of the former Railroad Book Depot have found a welcoming continuation of that legacy at RP Books, while new visitors discover a space designed to meet them where they are, both literally and literarily.

Opening Doors to Literacy

As a former English teacher, educational consultant, and doctorate holder, Akilah brings an educator's perspective to her bookstore. She's acutely aware that literacy rates remain concerningly low both locally and nationally. Her response is direct and compassionate: ensuring no one leaves RP Books empty-handed. "We always have free books available everyday for young people as well as adults," she says.

Through initiatives like Stories in the Square, RP Books has partnered with community organizations to give away books, particularly children's titles, addressing access issues head-on. "I think it's important for young people and kids to have access to books," Akilah explains. "But if there is an access issue, we want to be able to support that as well. We don't want someone to walk in here, in our doors, and not be able to purchase a book."

This balance between creating value around books while ensuring accessibility reflects Akilah's broader vision. "As an educator, I know that the literacy rates are really low, not only in this county, but also just across the country," she says. "Access to information and education is extremely important in any way that I can connect my own experience and my own learning with the current community is extremely important, and I want to be able to do that. I want to be able to be a door and a window for the community and for the youth."

Visit RP Books

Whether you're searching for your next great read, looking to connect with local authors, seeking event space for your organization, or simply want to be part of a community that values literacy and learning, RP Books welcomes you. Find them at 485 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg, visit their website at www.revisionpub.com, or call (925) 237-1127. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram or on TikTok @rp.books to stay updated on upcoming author events, marketplaces, and community programs.

RP Books
485 Railroad Ave
Pittsburg, CA 94565, USA
Phone: (925) 237-1127
Instagram: rpbooks_bookstore
Facebook: Link
TikTok: @rp.books
Google Business Profile: Link
www.revisionpub.com

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