宾州州立大学阿宾顿分校 graduate Oscar Almonte-Espinal transformed his passion for literature into a career at an independent bookseller in an underserved Philadelphia neighborhood.
阿宾顿,爸爸. — The New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association named Oscar Almonte-Espinal, a 2021 宾州州立大学阿宾顿分校 graduate, its "Handseller of the Year" for his outstanding work connecting readers with appropriate and challenging literary options at Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books. The shop is a popular Black-owned bookstore in the Germantown section of Philadelphia.
Almonte-Espinal's dedication to literature, 读写能力, and supporting writers resonates with Uncle Bobbie’s customers, many of whom reside in underserved communities and benefit from his knowledgeable recommendations, 个人援助, and debriefs on new book releases.
“Throughout my years working as a bookseller, I’ve learned that bookselling is how we resist those who are trying to keep books and understanding out of the hands of readers. I’ve never been so proud to identify as a bookseller," 他说. "I’m incredibly grateful for this recognition from my peers."
Almonte-Espinal is the "bookstagrammer" behind "Literary Henny,它号称有近15个,000的粉丝. Born in the Dominican Republic, the first-generation college student created the account in 2017 as he was struggling with the transition to higher 教育. He found solace and confidence in championing literature including translations from Latin American authors, 他说.
Almonte-Espinal believes in the “real and true power of books,”,, 他说, it led him to pursue his passion for literature as an English major.
"Oscar's success is evidence of the utility of an English degree. We have a vibrant English major at 阿宾顿 where students work closely with award-winning faculty and learn essential critical thinking and communication skills,莉莉安娜·内丹, associate professor of English, 说.
一旦他们毕业, we help them leverage these skills to pursue careers in publishing, 教育, 法律, 商业和其他领域. Oscar pursued his dream career and now has a prestigious award to show for his great skill and hard work,她接着说.
I’ve learned that bookselling is how we resist those who are trying to keep books and understanding out of the hands of readers.—Oscar Almonte-Espinal , 2021 宾州州立大学阿宾顿分校 graduate
The booksellers association presented Almonte-Espinal with the honor at its annual conference in Virginia this week. Known as the Joe Drabyak Spirit Award, it was named in honor of the former president of the organization and recognizes booksellers for inventive marketing and promotions.
The association counts independent books sellers in New York, 宾西法尼亚, 新泽西, 特拉华州, 马里兰, 西维吉尼亚州, the District of Columbia and northern Virginia among its members.
关于宾大阿宾顿
宾州州立大学阿宾顿分校 provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact 教育 resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher 教育 within a world-class research university. 有3个以上,100名学生, 宾州州立大学阿宾顿分校 is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, accelerated master's degrees, 本科研究, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.
