Shop Local Stories Belonging Books

Many local businesses on Cape Cod aim to create carefree and pleasurable gathering places. It was in this spirit that Belonging Books was created. Owner Erica Tso Haidas started Belonging Books to be a community program provider and pop-up bookstore that centers on the voices and stories of people of color and other underrepresented communities on the Cape, creating space for joy, celebration, safety and belonging.

The positive impact that Belonging Books has already created can be seen in its programming, running a successful BIPOC youth writing workshop this spring (with more planned for the fall), and through its open mic night and pop up bookselling events, where non-majority persons are encouraged to express themselves.

Erica also volunteers as a pro bono immigration attorney on unaccompanied minor cases through Kids In Need of Defense, and volunteers for Cape Cod Voices and MLK Education Task Force, nonprofits advocating for racial equity on the Cape.

Every month, along with The Cooperative Bank of Cape Cod, we’ll be sharing stories from across Cape Cod about how our local businesses do more for this community than simply provide goods and services and why shopping with them is more than just a single transaction.