Photographs and narrative from Tattered Cover Bookstore / Hue-Man Experience Website:
Clara Villarosa. Credit: Dream Girl Film via Tattered Cover Bookstore
Clara Villarosa, NAACP Image Award nominee and the founder of the successful Hue-Man Experience Bookstore in Denver, Colorado and Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe in New York City, is teaming up with Tattered Cover to reimagine the beloved Hue-Man brand. Under Villarosa’s guidance, Hue-Man Experience at Tattered Cover will serve as a curatorial expert for individuals as well as educational institutions, corporations and nonprofits, providing thoughtful guidance on book selections that encourage diversity, equity and inclusion.
“I’ve always had a real affinity for Tattered Cover, beginning with its previous owner, Joyce Meskis, graciously acting as my mentor when I opened my first bookstore,” said Clara Villarosa. “At this point in my life, reviving the Hue-Man brand wasn’t something I had previously imagined. However, in light of recent events, the need for this sort of inclusive curation and focus on diversity in literature is as evident as ever. My goal for this partnership with Tattered Cover is to build awareness around important issues, while giving a voice to Black authors.”
Villarosa was born and raised in Chicago in 1930, where she began her career as a psychiatric social worker at Mount Sinai Hospital. In 1969, she relocated to Colorado with her family and became the chief psychiatric social worker at Denver's Children's Hospital. After attending the Graduate School of Social Work Doctoral Program at University of Denver, Villarosa served as Vice President of Human Resources and Strategic Planning for United Bank of Denver.
In 1984, she opened Denver’s first Black-owned bookstore, the Hue-Man Experience, targeting African American readers and specializing in books and non-book gift items for People of Color. After 16 years of success under her leadership, Villarosa sold Hue-Man’s Denver location in 2000 and moved to New York City. That same year, Maya Angelou read at the opening of Villarosa’s Harlem location, the Hue-Man Bookstore & Cafe.
As an author in her own right, Villarosa’s book, “Down to Business: The First 10 Steps to Entrepreneurship for Women,” was nominated for the NAACP Image Award in 2009. She is the founder of the African American Booksellers Association, a specialized division of the American Booksellers Association, where she also served on the board for many years with Tattered Cover’s previous, long-time owner, Joyce Meskis. Additionally, Villarosa previously sat on the board of trustees for the University of Denver.
“With more than 37 years of experience selling Black literature, Clara has the expertise to lead us forward in a way that will make Denver proud,” said Kwame Spearman, CEO of Tattered Cover. “I have countless fond memories of visiting her store as a child and it is an honor to give a new home to the Hue-Man Experience, which has meant so much to me and to many others.”
The goal of Hue-Man Experience at Tattered Cover is to help individuals, organizations and businesses that want to learn more about underrepresented titles and authors, have a trustworthy brand to source relevant material. Hue-Man Experience will source from all major and independent publishers, as well as conducting its own efforts to locate local talent.
“When a school seeks to expand its curriculum to be reflective of a more diverse world, the Hue-Man Experience at Tattered Cover will help them select and acquire those titles,” said Spearman. “When a large organization needs resources for staff development and conversations around issues of race, we are their partners.”
Within Tattered Cover’s organization, Hue-Man Experience will focus on identifying, curating and recommending diverse authors, writers and artists, to ensure thoughtful representation from Black, Indigenous and People of Color throughout its stores. Additionally, the program has a community outreach arm to help connect to diverse local artists and authors.