Newspaper Page Text
SOUTHERN VOICE NOVEMBER3/1994
Charis turns 20
Continued from page 17
market.”
Bryant recalls a customer who complained
about the cost of CDs at Charis, telling Bryant
she would have to buy somewhere else based
on the price difference. “I understand her
concern,” says Bryant, who is mindful of the
economy and people’s need to save where
they can. “But saving $1 or $2...the real cost
may be the [loss of] independents.”
Another cause for celebration by the
women at Charis (two owners, two full-time
staffers, several part-timers, and numerous
volunteers) is the new home that Charis oc
cupied earlier this year, which now houses a
wider selection of books on 25 percent more
shelf space in a contemporary, roomier set
ting. Just across the street from the original
location in Little Five Points, the new build
ing is owned by Bryant and co-owner Sherry
Emory and is their response to ever increas
ing rental rates in the neighborhood.
An expensive endeavor, purchase of the
house and its renovation were made possible
through volunteer labor, the neighborhood
BOND credit union, and a generous loan from
a friend who has been with Bryant and Emory
since the beginning and who they refer to as
their guardian angel.
Having settled comfortably into the cozy,
new space that feels more like someone’s
living room than a retail store, Bryant and
Emory must now attempt to pay off loans
owed for the down payment and renovation
costs. Unlike the super bookstores, however,
which would never think to go to their cus
tomers for help, the women are able to ask
for assistance from the communities they have
served over the years.
Several fundraisers have already netted
$5,000, although a great deal more is owed.
Two events during Charis’ anniversary week
end, Nov. 5 and 6, will go toward the renova
tion debt. In addition, everything in the store
will be discounted 10 percent.
For 20 years, Bryant and her co-owners
have attempted to provide books and mer
chandise that appeal to gays and lesbians,
Latinos, African-Americans, children, and
many more groups. According to therapist
Marlene Johnson, who works six hours a week
at the bookstore and describes herself as a
“big” African-American woman, the staff al
ways makes an effort to listen to concerns
from customers.
Anyone who comes in and has a problem
with a book, well, we listen,” Johnson says.
“Recently, someone complained about a short
story that was very anti-disabled. The staff
hadn’t read the story, so they didn’t know,
CONTINUES PAGE 22
Co-owners Linda Bryant (left) and Sherry
Emory
As your Congressman, John Lewis:
• Co-sponsored the Civil Rights
Act of 1993 and the Employment
Non-discrimination Act. Both prohibited
discrimination based on
sexual orientation.
• Fought to include language in the Health
Security Act which demanded that health
care services be delivered fairly to all
Americans on a non-discriminatory basis.
• Championed full funding of the
Ryan White Act and increased
funding for AIDS research.
• Received a 100% voting rating from the
Human Rights Campaign Fund.
As Chief Deputy Majority Whip, John Lewis
holds the fourth ranking position in the
leadership of the House of Representatives.
In addition, he serves on the powerful Ways
and Means Committee.
John Lewis
CONGRESS
A History of Leadership.
A Record of Accomplishment.
VOTE NOVEMBER 8™!
PAID FOR BY THE JOHN LEWIS FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
iV*VAV
’.♦AM I
