He was a pillar in the Black community!
Edward “Ed” Vaughn, a former Michigan state representative and the owner of Detroit’s first Black bookstore, has joined the ancestors at 90 years old, Black Enterprise reports. Vaughn’s influence extended far beyond his business ventures; he was a community leader, an activist, and a champion for social justice. His bookstore, which he opened in 1965, became a hub for Black activists and a pillar in the Black nationalist and Pan-African movements in Detroit.
“Deeply saddened to learn about the passing of a legend in Detroit – Ed Vaughn. In addition to his fierce activism and political career, Ed was the owner of Vaughn’s Bookstore on Dexter Avenue, which last year was placed on the National Register of Historic Places for the role it played as a community resource and gathering place for Black activist leaders in Detroit and from across the country,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.
Vaughn got his start in various civil rights organizations. He was the founder of Detroit’s Pan-African Congress—USA and a key organizer of the Detroit chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality. His bookstore served as a platform for discussions about important issues facing the Black community, and it provided a much-needed space for Black people to come together and find inspiration. Believed to be only the second Black-owned bookstore in America, Vaughn stocked the book with a plethora of Black literature that other white bookstores in the city refused to carry.
Despite facing numerous challenges, including the destruction of his bookstore during the 1967 race riots, Vaughn remained committed to his mission. He rebuilt his store and continued to serve as a beacon of hope for the Black community, working under Detroit’s first Black mayor, Coleman A. Young. He then served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1978-1980 and was elected again in 1994, where he represented the 4th House District from 1995-2000.
Rep. Donavan McKinney spoke candidly about Vaughn’s love for his people and his perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity over the years, which made him a role model for many.
“His contributions in the national spotlight during the Black Power Movement reminds the world of Detroit’s allure and promise of Black prosperity and possibilities. He was a giant in the community, and his legacy will live on in all our hearts,” said McKinney.
Vaughn leaves behind a host of family, friends, and fellow Detroiters. While his spirit has transitioned, his legacy is alive and well. Mayor Duggan is confident that his bookstore, now a designated historic place on the National Registry, will be restored and the history preserved for generations to come so that Vaughn’s contributions to Detroit and the civil rights movement will never be forgotten.
Cover photo: Remembering Ed Vaughn, Owner of Detroit’s First Black-Owned Bookstore/Photo credit: Richard Lee/Detroit Free Press