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Black Christian Book company Bridging the Gap Between Black  Publishers, Authors and the Book Trade. Black Christian Book Distributors of Dallas, Texas, which was founded in September of 2007, states its mission as: the marketing and distributing of quality Christian books written by black and white authors to every available outlet in the urban and rural areas across the United States of America and around the world. BCBD’s aim and purpose is to reach African-Americans and whosoever will with a clear presentation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the printed page, and with materials that will enrich their faith.

Black Christian Book Distributors of Dallas, Texas, which was founded in September of 2007, states its mission as: the marketing and distributing of quality Christian books written by black and white authors to every available outlet in the urban and rural areas across the United States of America and around the world. BCBD’s aim and purpose is to reach African-Americans and whosoever will with a clear presentation of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through the printed page, and with materials that will enrich their faith.

Rev. Larry Stephenson, BCBD's vice-president of sales, along with its fifteen employees, believe that black authors and books targeting the black community are not being represented as well as they should be in bookstores and other outlets. This realization led to the formation of Black Christian Book Distributors.

In the words of the company's CEO: “We believe that, if black authors and black Christian books were given the same opportunity as white authors, particularly in the urban areas of our country, that books by African-American authors would sell just as well, and sometimes even better. This has been proven.”

BCBD Catalog coverBCBD’s first catalog was printed January 2008 for the following three reasons:

1.      That people in the book trade would see in one catalog the tremendous contribution to the world of literature black Christian authors have made.

2.      That many books written by African-American authors would be known and made available.

3.      To encourage all Christian bookstore owners to at least start an African-American book section.

BCBD is reaching over 30,000 nationwide through the digital version of their catalog, with over 3000 going to retailers and church bookstores, providing a fresh, new, and unique market for retailers and other outlets. BCBD also provides a listing of over 400 African-American books along with the publishers' names, and ISBNs in its catalog as well.

To receive an online version or a hard copy of one of BCBD’s catalogs, or to place an ad in the digital version of the May-August 2008 Catalog,  please send an email to: info@blackchristianbookdistributors.com.

Visit BCBD online at: www.blackchristianbookdistributors.com.

You can view the catalog online in the Flip Book Format at this link: http://www.blackchristianbookdistributors.com/
catalog/catalogmayaug08/

You can view the catalog online  in PDF FOrmat at this link: http://www.blackchristianbookdistributors.com/catalog/
catalogmayaug08/bcbdmayaug2008catalogpdf.pdf

1. When was BCBD founded and why?

    BCBD was founded in September 2007. BCBD was founded for the following reasons:

    A. The market for Black Christian literature is great now and the timing is great.

    B. These wonderful African-American authors and their books are woefully underrepresented in the Christian marketplace and in the secular marketplace as well.

    C. We believe that the above is true because there is still intentional and unintentional racism and prejudice among many believers, and as it stands, both the Christian book trade and the secular book trade are definitely controlled by whites, and it is time for blacks and browns (Hispanics) to get involved in this great ministry and business.

2. Where is BCBD based?

    BCBD is based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas.

3. How many employers?

    We have 15 employees.

4. How big is the business?

    We sell over 400 products. The future growth potential looks great.

5. What is your full name and title?

    My name is Larry Stephenson. I am the vice-president of sales, and I serve on the advisory board as well.

6. When/why did you produce your first catalog?

    We produced our first catalog at the beginning of 2008, and the reasons why we produced the catalog is basically because of the same reasons given for question one.  

7. How many were distributed? How many went to retailers?

    Over 30,000 total (over 3000 went to retailers, including church bookstores).

8. How are you supporting Christian retail stores in addition to selling direct to consumers?

    First of all, we encourage and assist authors in getting their book(s) with a distributor and into bookstores, simply because there are many in the black community who do not feel that an author is legitimate unless the author's book or books can be found in stores. In all of our promotions, we encourage readers to buy from their local bookstore and then to buy online. In other words, our philosophy is that brick and mortar bookstores get first priority, and then if you can't find a book there, go to an online store. Another thing that we do is through a sister site, we highlight a Christian and/or black retail store that carries Christian books by African-Americans.

9. Do you have any contact/association with other groups in the African-American area, such as CAABA (Christian African American Booksellers Association)?

    We do know about CAABA and the dear folks who run CAABA are wonderful people. However, we have not been led to join their fine organization as of yet. 

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