Milwaukee sisters preserve and share Latine stories through 'La Revo Books'
MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- This Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, two sisters in Southeast Wisconsin found a way to honor their heritage, year-round. Wisconsin's only Latine-focused and Latine-owned bookstore is based in Southeast Wisconsin, created and owned by sisters Valeria and Barbara Cerda. It's a way to showcase themselves and their background, for the whole community. "La Revo Books is where you find a piece of your identity on our shelves," said Valeria.
The Cerda sisters started sharing their love of books during the pandemic by stocking little free libraries. Valeria said their store "stemmed from a need we personally felt. The books we sell are books not available in other stores." Growing up in Milwaukee, the sisters say they often didn't see themselves reflected in books or curriculum.
"Knowing our story is powerful; it’s good not just for self-development, but as a person. I think it’s easy to feel lonely and feel like history doesn’t reflect you and your people. I think once you see books that reflect you, it also changes your perspective on reading and literacy," continued Valeria.
In 2021, the sisters created their own small businesses, La Revo Books, translating to "the revolution". Barbara said she and her sister were thinking of things in history that were impactful for them, and the Mexican Revolution came to mind. Then, they saw the protests nationwide after George Floyd's murder as a revolution in our current history. "We also thought about the revolution that happens within ourselves when we learn a piece of our culture, when we learn a little bit of our identity, so we thought that La Revo Books would be a great name as a tribute to the revolutions that have changed our worlds and ourselves," she shared. "It feels very revolutionary to learn things about my identity that i wasn’t taught in schools," Barbara continued.
In four years, La Revo Books has sold about 6,500 books written by and for Latinos. The sisters say they are still learning about themselves with every page. Valeria said she now questions how her life would have been different and how she could have changed her community earlier on, had she known more about her history.
The bookstore offers books for all ages in Spanish, English, and Spanglish. "Getting people to have books they love and that they cherish. That’s been pretty important, but just to know that we’re making a difference in such a small way," said Barbara. Valeria added that it's been "very rewarding internally" to be able to provide others with books that reflect themselves.
The sisters say they were inspired by their grandmothers, who the Cerda sisters say were "revolutionary in their existence". Now, they look to inspire the next generation to find themselves within literature. Valeria said the selection of books they see now for children "opens up a world of possibilities. And we traditionally just don’t see those."
"It's so important to preserve stories that are ours and keep them in our community."
The Cerda sisters say less than 1% of bookstores from the American Booksellers Association are Latine.
La Revo Books doesn't have a physical location yet, but they do have various pop-up events throughout the year. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and on their website. They also have satellite stores at Brew-Jas Coffee House in Milwaukee and Casita Cafe in Sheboygan.