La Casa Azúl Bookstore will be an independent bookstore/café offering new and used books in English and Spanish. The bookstore will offer a wide range of books and music from the United States, México, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Mission

La Casa Azul Bookstore is a place of knowledge, art, creativity and culture. Our mission is to provide the community with contemporary bilingual literature, featuring works by Latino authors.

Our goals are:

• Provide culturally relevant books and events.
• Bring community awareness and political consciousness on issues that affect East Harlem residents.

About the owner:

Ms. Aurora Anaya- Cerda is an active member of the East Harlem community as a participant and supporter of cultural and educational events. A graduate of UCLA, Ms. Anaya-Cerda has a double Bachelor’s degree in History and Chicana/o Studies and a minor in Education. She was awarded the Juanita Centeno Leadership Award and the UCLA Women for Change Leadership Award, both for outstanding dedication and service to her community. Aurora recently received a scholarship from the New Start Fund, awarded to women entrepreneurs in New York City.

Why La Casa Azul?

La Casa Azúl Bookstore is inspired by Frida Kahlo. Frida Kahlo (July 6, 1907 – July 13, 1954) was a Mexican painter, who has achieved great international popularity. She painted using vibrant colors in a style that was influenced by indigenous cultures of Mexico as well as European influences. Many of her works are self-portraits that symbolically express her own pain. Her "Blue" house, located in Coyoacan, Mexico City is now a popular museum, donated by Diego Rivera after Kahlo's death in 1954.