The Black Book Exchange 2026

The DopeReaders Black Book Exchange is our flagship event, launched in July 2024 at Boxpark Shoreditch. The concept is simple: we stock loads of books by Black and diverse authors and invite attendees to bring books by white authors to swap. It's an engaging and accessible way to diversify bookshelves, discover new voices, and encourage more people to explore stories from underrepresented communities.

Since its launch, the Black Book Exchange has grown significantly. We've taken the event to Peckham Festival, delivered private exchanges for organisations including Live Nation, and in 2025 established a regular home at UNDR in West London. Along the way, we've been supported by leading publishers including Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Hachette, Pan Macmillan, and many others.

In 2026, we're aiming to make the Black Book Exchange our biggest event yet. To match our ambition, we're taking over Pop Brixton for a full day celebrating books, culture, community, and the power of diverse storytelling.