Hidden Gems Literary Emporium

WRITTEN BY: MELISSA MALOON

“Return the wisdom to our people. Give us a bookstore that will make everyone feel welcome, no matter who they are.”

“Okay, they are leaving now,” were the last words that Kaila Boulware Sykes and Raymond Sykes heard as they were leaving a bookstore that housed hundreds of thousands of books. Their excitement was stunted as they were met with unwelcomed stares and whispers of prejudice slander right at the bookstore of their own hometown in Ocean County, New Jersey. After having been met with such disgust in a house of knowledge and wisdom, Raymond turned to faith and prayed to Yoheweh, “Return the wisdom to our people. Give us a bookstore that will make everyone feel welcome, no matter who they are.”

After having experienced such a disappointing and insulting encounter, Yoheweh blessed the Sykes with more than they could imagine. They are now owners of an African American family owned nonprofit community literary store, Hidden Gems Literary Emporium located in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Owners Kaila Boulware Sykes, Raymond Sykes and 1 year old son Truth, have invested in the community they come from because they truly overstand and value the importance of access to literature and educational resources.

In efforts to protect Truth from ever having to encounter another experience such as that one when making an effort to educate himself; they took it upon themselves to make sure Truth has a long standing bookstore that will only ever welcome him and others to continue exploring the sea of words a bookstore like Hidden Gems have to offer.

Both Kaila and Raymond are avid readers and lovers of literature. Books contain the wisdom of centuries before and after; so, it is no surprise that growing up, both were read the Bible from very young. Kaila’s mother used to read the Bible to her when she was in her mother’s womb and Raymond had the Bible read to him every night before bed. From this came the love of literature, poetry, essays, letters and so on. They’re favorite toys? Paper and pen. Literary expression is a part of who they are, they were born with it.

It was in Rutgers University – New Brunswick that the alumnis found their passion, met and found love in each other. Raymond studied Journalism and Media Studies while Kaila studied Public Health Program Development. Both of these fields go hand in hand, so it only made sense for them to join their efforts and feed their community what it was gravely in need of: literature.

Having talents in other areas, during college Raymond was a photojournalist with the National Association of Black Journalists and worked on reactivating the organization by adding a visual media component. After college Raymond started his own media production business that allowed him to produce digital media advertisements and short films for industry professionals and organizations. Meanwhile, Kaila found love in photography while studying Public Health Program Development. Because of her love for photography she started her own photography and film business where she has worked with the likes of Trey Songz, Jadakiss, Fabolous, SZA and Sengelese supermodel, Khoudia Diopp, which was published globally. Post-graduation, Kaila became Director of Admissions Marketing at Georgian Court University.

Being devoted servants to Yoheweh and their community, the Sykes volunteered in distributing free meals and groceries with Tree House Cares, which inspired them to eventually distribute 1 million pounds of food in New Brunswick with a food distribution program they had started. The Sykes family express their deep sense of gratitude to their community and Yoheweh by servicing the community.

“Two Olive Trees” are the words Raymond would use to describe themselves, as it is what they strive to be every day. It is also the inspiration behind the name of their Fine Art Film & Photography Studio, “2 Olive Trees Studios” where they can still work in their passion of producing their own films and documentaries. Great-full, grateful, humble and servants of Yoheweh and of the community is how Kaila would describe themselves. Before anything, they are humbled to be chosen by Yoheweh to carry out this vision for their community.

Hidden Gems Literary Emporium prioritizes the youth because they understand the importance of investing and reinvesting into the future. “Educating ourselves, our families, and our children is what creates prosperity and longevity,” shares Raymond as he expresses how reading is foundational and “fun-da-mental”. The ultimate goal is to uplift the skills needed to survive and encourage people of all ages to indulge in these skills every day. It is through literature that we are able to learn all these skills and then some. We can learn from different cultures, people and experiences by reading their story. It is through this effort that we can battle prejudice, engaging with different narratives and perspectives from all different walks in life.

With so much passion and love behind all their work, Hidden Gems Literary Emporium is right on track with their goal of providing access to free educational resources to all. Two weeks after the Sykes family had encountered racial prejudices at the bookstore, Above Art Studios, in love with their plan and vision, welcomed them into their art gallery. After another four weeks, New Brunswick held the biggest grand opening weekend event with about 500 guests for the one and only Hidden Gems Literary Emporium that now houses about 30,000 books. Since opening, the Sykes family have been able to distribute almost 4,000 free books and counting. They have also accomplished a 1000 Free Book Tour across the Atlantic East Coast, they distributed 1000 free books as well as bookbags, notepads, pens, etc. Hidden Gems is also the house for local authors to share their publications. Local authors can now sell their books and engage with the community as they have shelf space with Hidden Gems.

Having been built by the community and The Creator for the community; Hidden Gems Literary Emporium continues to be a staple for many and has so many treats in store with a second 1000 Free Book Tour coming, weekly children’s performances, releasing an upcoming poetry book “Fruit” and so much more which will be announced through their social media accounts.

Make sure to follow Hidden Gems Literary Emporium on all platforms or HiddenGemsLiteraryEmporium.com and stay up to date with the latest events!