About Chez Alpha Books
Established and headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, Chez Alpha Books is the first and only English-language bookstore, education resource center, and lending library in Senegal’s capital. Committed to highlighting works by writers from Senegal, Africa, and The Diaspora, Chez Alpha Books is a thriving brick-and-mortar enterprise trading in a rich, eclectic, and diverse collection of fiction and non-fiction books inclusive of world literature and many standard classics.
Committed to community engagement, Chez Alpha Books continues to develop and participate in outreach programs that support education and literacy. We welcome new business opportunities that extend our outreach and introduce new audiences to our books and services.
Chez Alpha Books was founded by educator, artist, and activist Angela Franklin who heads a small team equally committed to supporting diverse writers.
Contact:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-franklin-faye-781b8a69/
Committed to community engagement, Chez Alpha Books continues to develop and participate in outreach programs that support education and literacy. We welcome new business opportunities that extend our outreach and introduce new audiences to our books and services.
Chez Alpha Books was founded by educator, artist, and activist Angela Franklin who heads a small team equally committed to supporting diverse writers.
Contact:
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-franklin-faye-781b8a69/
Angela Franklin-Faye, Founder and Director of Chez Apha Books
Entrepreneur, visual artist, and higher education administrator are just a few ways to aptly describe Angela Franklin-Faye, founder and director of Chez Alpha Books. An experienced, visionary, and innovative leader in the realm of international education and small business development Franklin-Faye has worked in the Marshall Islands, United Arab Emirates, West African, and the U.S. in the implementation of start-up and developing education projects. She has extensive hands-on experience developing student admission/recruitment and student life programs.
For Franklin-Faye, establishing Chez Alpha Books was a natural initiative allowing her to combine a passion and commitment to books and her 20 years + of education experience into one organization. Responding to community needs, she developed both a bookstore and lending library in one space allowing students, families, and educational institutions access to 2000 books. Utilizing her international education experience, she established The College Club, which supports students in their university admissions process and works with professionals to identify short or long-term education opportunities. In addition, Chez Alpha Books provides English language training and test prep.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-franklin-faye-781b8a69
For Franklin-Faye, establishing Chez Alpha Books was a natural initiative allowing her to combine a passion and commitment to books and her 20 years + of education experience into one organization. Responding to community needs, she developed both a bookstore and lending library in one space allowing students, families, and educational institutions access to 2000 books. Utilizing her international education experience, she established The College Club, which supports students in their university admissions process and works with professionals to identify short or long-term education opportunities. In addition, Chez Alpha Books provides English language training and test prep.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-franklin-faye-781b8a69
A Conversation with Angela Franklin-Owner of Chez Alpha Books in Senegal
Independent booksellers are our lifeblood. We count on their dedication—and their passionate recommendations to readers. In solidarity with those who are committed to social justice, we’re sharing the story of Angela Franklin. She’s making history as the founder and director of Chez Alpha Book, the first and only English-language bookstore in Dakar, Senegal. Angela holds an MFA in Enamel and Metalworking, along with another Master’s in Online Education and Leadership Management. She has more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration. When her thriving studio in Baltimore burned to the ground, Angela started over. She eventually wrote a grant to study the traditional arts in Senegal, where she married and had a son. Our Editor-at-large Nadine Pinede talked to Angela about her remarkable journey, from selling books in her garage to directing an internationally-acclaimed bookstore and academic resource center.
Continue reading at:
https://enchantedlion.com/blog/2020/6/1/a-conversation-with-angela-franklin-owner-of-chez-alpha-books-in-senegal
Continue reading at:
https://enchantedlion.com/blog/2020/6/1/a-conversation-with-angela-franklin-owner-of-chez-alpha-books-in-senegal
Mission and Vision Statement
Mission Statement
Chez Alpha Books provides the community access to diverse fiction and non-fiction literature, emphasizing works from African writers and the wider Diaspora. With the bookstore and lending library, we are committed to continuously growing our selection of literature available based on community interests and client needs.
Vision Statement
Chez Alpha Books aspires to continue developing into the number one English bookstore and resource center in both Senegal and the Francophone West African region, demonstrating a commitment to ongoing education and personal enrichment via:
1) Encouraging a love of books and reading that moves beyond the practical experience of homework into a continued lifestyle of cherishing books as a preferred recreational pastime.
2) Assuring professional growth and development to our clients by offering innovative programs with a growing emphasis on e-learning
3) Implementation of innovative English language and professional development courses that address the human resource needs of the region
4) Providing the local, regional, and international community with fiction and non-fiction books that chronicle and attest to diverse human experiences with an emphasis on books by writers from The Diaspora or stories that narrate the yet-to-be-told history, experiences, and contributions from The Diaspora.
5) Allow clients to travel the world by embracing world literature and books that generally engage readers and build dialogue.
6) Model positive collaboration via partnering with existing businesses and non-profit institutions to support literacy projects making books accessible to a wide range of communities with an emphasis on community development
7) Reflect a positive and ongoing commitment to social responsibility via the expansion of the lending library, allowing increased numbers of families in outlying regions access to our library program
