Liberation Station Bookstore has always been more than a bookstore.
It is a declaration.
A sanctuary.
A space built to ensure that Black children are never treated as optional.
This week, that mission reached a national stage as Victoria Scott-Miller, founder of Liberation Station Bookstore, appeared as a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, sharing the heart behind North Carolina’s first Black-owned children’s bookstore—and the community movement that continues to sustain it.
From the opening moments of the segment, one truth was clear: Liberation Station was not born from trend or novelty.
It was birthed from motherhood.
It was birthed from love.
It was birthed from necessity.
A Bookstore Born From Humanity
When Jennifer Hudson asked Victoria to introduce Liberation Station to viewers, Victoria began where the story truly starts: with her son Emerson.
“Liberation Station is birthed from my own humanity as a mom,” she shared, explaining that the bookstore’s origins are deeply rooted in her family’s journey after Emerson was diagnosed with autism.
What began as a mother searching for belonging became something much larger—a movement dedicated to uplifting the humanity of Black children through story.
Today, Liberation Station carries over 500 titles written by Black authors and Black illustrators, creating a space where children can see themselves fully reflected—not as an afterthought, but as the center.
Readers everywhere can explore the bookstore’s mission and offerings through the Liberation Station website, where community programming and updates continue to grow alongside the shelves.
Creating a Counternarrative: You Are Seen
During the conversation, Victoria spoke powerfully about the psychological impact of representation.
She explained that one of the first wounds a child experiences is the feeling that their existence is optional.
That is the wound Liberation Station was built to heal.
The bookstore exists as a counternarrative—a space that says:
You are seen.
You are beautiful.
You belong.
And beyond the physical storefront, Liberation Station has also made it possible for supporters across the country to shop its collection through its online bookstore partnership, ensuring the mission travels far beyond Raleigh.
The Intersection of Two Sons, and a House Full of Yeses
Victoria shared that Liberation Station was inspired by the intersection of both her children:
Her oldest son Langston, who dreamed of writing children’s books.
And Emerson, whose autism diagnosis reshaped the way Victoria understood advocacy, literacy, and possibility.
After leaving the classroom as a third-grade teacher, Victoria chose to homeschool Emerson, surrounding him with books, love, and expectancy.
She recalled that Emerson was nonverbal for the first five years of his life—until he spoke during Liberation Station’s grand opening.
“It’s not only the power of literacy,” she said.
“It’s the power of servicing the child instead of the diagnosis.”
That commitment continues through Liberation Station’s ongoing community care, including autism-centered gatherings and monthly support events that bring families together in affirmation.
Courage in the Face of Opposition
Jennifer Hudson also acknowledged the bravery required to build such a space.
Victoria shared openly that Liberation Station faced racial harassment, threats, and attempts to intimidate her family.
In 2023, after receiving death threats, she made the difficult decision to step back—not out of defeat, but out of protection.
What followed was a return marked by even deeper intention and community reverence.
“We not going nowhere,” Victoria affirmed.
Liberation Station’s story is one of resilience—and of collective refusal to let Black joy be erased.
A Store Designed as a Living Room, an Archive, a Home
Victoria described the Liberation Station experience as deeply intentional.
A mural greets visitors at the entrance.
Two symbolic suns represent her sons, the focal point of the work.
Guests are encouraged to take a Polaroid and archive their existence in the space.
There are Braille affirmations.
Mustard-seed messages of belonging.
Even a couch brought from home—because Liberation Station is meant to feel like a living room, not a retail store.
A home for imagination.
A home for children.
A home for community.
A Resurrection Powered by Community
One of the most defining moments of the segment came when Jennifer Hudson asked how Liberation Station is funded.
Victoria’s answer was simple:
“We are 100% community funded.”
Through grassroots support, Liberation Station raised $75,000 in five months—proof that what Victoria built was never hers alone.
It belonged to everyone who believed Black children deserved beauty, safety, and story.
Tabitha Brown herself contributed to the campaign after seeing Victoria’s video, later sharing words of encouragement that left the audience—and Victoria—visibly moved.
It was a reminder that sometimes the right people see the work rising to the top.
A National Moment, A Generational Mission
Victoria closed the segment with humility and gratitude, sharing that she feels chosen to do this work because of her sons—and because Black children deserve to live lives of expectancy.
Liberation Station’s appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show is not simply a milestone.
It is a reminder:
This work is generational.
This space is sacred.
And this community is building something that will last.
Ways to Stay Connected
For those who have recently discovered Liberation Station and want to stay part of the story, there are many ways to continue the journey—whether through visiting the bookstore, attending upcoming events, supporting its sustainability efforts, or simply bringing Liberation Station’s books into your home.
You can learn more at
https://liberationstationbookstore.com/
Browse the online shop here:
https://bookshop.org/shop/liberationstationbookstore
Explore upcoming community gatherings and events here:
https://liberationstationbookstore.com/events/
Watch the full interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elAMKambhQk&t=1s
And for those moved to support Liberation Station’s continued growth, community contributions and membership support can be found through:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-reopen-ncs-first-blackowned-kids-bookstore
https://ko-fi.com/liberationstationbookstore/tiers
