I’m excited to share some of the incredible ways that GREATNESS: Diverse Designers of Architecture has continued to make its way into the world and into the hands and hearts of people across the country. 

This book was born from a mission to elevate and celebrate the brilliance of women and BIPOC designers, and witnessing it find a home in bookstores, libraries, and institutions has been one of the most moving experiences of my career. Each placement represents not just a sale, but a spark of representation and someone discovering their reflection in the story of design.

Recently, I was deeply honored to learn that NCNOMA partnered with Prism Design Lab and Diversity Architecture to donate 150 copies of GREATNESS to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Guilford County Public Libraries. This initiative, now in its fourth year, expands access to architecture and design stories that reflect the true richness of our communities. To know that GREATNESS was selected as this year’s featured book shared with readers across North Carolina is both humbling and affirming.

That spirit of visibility continues across the nation:

Marcus Books – Oakland, California As the oldest African American–owned bookstore in the United States, Marcus Books has long been a sanctuary for culture, community, and creativity. Seeing GREATNESS on their shelves thanks to the photos shared by June Grant was an unforgettable moment. It reminded me how deeply our history and innovation are intertwined.

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture – Washington, D.C. To have GREATNESS included in the Smithsonian’s museum bookstore feels like a full-circle moment. This institution whose very creation was first proposed in 1915 is a century-long testament to perseverance and representation. I’m deeply grateful to Joshua Cato for capturing and sharing that photo, proof that our stories have found their rightful place in history.

Reparations.Club – Los Angeles, CaliforniaLocated in the heart of LA, this Black- and woman-owned concept bookshop and creative space, Rep.Club, curates every title through the lens of Blackness, brilliance, and community. I didn’t have the chance to see it in person, but thanks to the incredible Deena Darby that sent photos, I could feel the love from afar. If you ever stop by, look for GREATNESS and please send a snapshot my way!

Hennessey + Ingalls – Los Angeles, California
Right across the street from SCI-Arc, where I once delivered a commencement address, Hennessey + Ingalls is one of the most respected art and architecture bookstores in the country. I found myself wandering its aisles, and there it was, my book GREATNESS, proudly on the shelf. A moment of gratitude and reflection that reminded me just how far this journey has come.

Venice Biennale – Venice, Italy
Two decades ago, I walked through the Biennale as an architecture student, dreaming of what might be possible. To return and see GREATNESS in the U.S. Pavilion and available in the Biennale Bookstore was surreal. Standing there, I realized this isn’t just shelf placement, it's a global declaration that our voices belong in every space of influence and imagination.

Taylor & Co. Books – Brooklyn, New YorkOne of only seven Black-owned bookstores in New York City, Taylor & Co. has been a champion of diverse voices in literature. Thanks to Andrew Colarusso, GREATNESS found a home here and became part of their Juneteenth book signing celebration, which was an evening that beautifully intertwined literature, liberation, and legacy.

Frugal Bookstore – Boston, Massachusetts

Known for their motto, “Changing minds one book at a time,” Frugal Bookstore continues to be a cultural hub for Boston’s Black community. Thanks to Christian Joosse, who shared that she spotted GREATNESS on their shelf and connected me with the bookstore team, GREATNESS will take center stage at my upcoming November 8th book signing, marking another step in this journey of visibility, education, and connection.

Register Here!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-event-greatness-by-pascale-sablan-tickets-1835659038599?aff=oddtdtcreator

Each of these milestones reminds me that advocacy isn’t just spoken it’s published, circulated, and lived. Every shelf, every reader, every tagged photo is a piece of our collective legacy.

If you spot GREATNESS in your city, please send a photo and tag me. Together, we’re mapping a movement and proving that representation isn’t a moment, it’s a continuum.

If you’re receiving this email, it’s because you are part of my journey. Your support sustains me. I carry you into every room I enter, and I hope to continue making you proud.

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