By Eugene Holley Jr. | May 14, 2021 Eso Won has long been one of the country’s preeminent Black-owned bookstores and, of course, was indispensable this past year,” noted Ellen Adler, publisher of the New Press, in her nominating letter. “But that’s nothing new: it has long been indispensable—as those who are lucky enough to count it as their local bookstore or who have made the pilgrimage and had a visit well know.” Originally named Eso Won Books on Wheels, the bookstore, now located in Leimert Park Village, an African American business district in central Los Angeles, was founded by owners James Fugate and Tom Hamilton. From the start, their goal was to sell books at community events. Over the years, Fugate says, “we have worked with local bookselling groups, been a part of the