Diverse Books for Adults and Children
I AM AFRICAN & I CAN is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.
By Hadiatou Wann | 07/07/2023
The oldest of five, Fatuma Hydara was born and raised in the Bronx. Her parents (who were always focused on education and aspired for their children to do the same) migrated from the Gambia in the early 90s.
When applying for college, Fatuma wanted the freedom of living away from her parents. She applied to universities in upstate New York. At this time, she was one of the first Muslim first from her Bronx community applying for college and consideration living away from home. Tradition and concerns about what the community might say, made her parents hesitant to let her go away to school.
Obedient while growing up, Fatuma was unable to rebel completely. Somehow, they came to a compromise. Fatuma would commute from the Bronx to Pleasantville, NY in upper Westchester for four years. Despite the long commute and long days, packing three meals to get through the day, she stuck it through. She graduated from Pace University with a 3.89 GPA and dual degree in English and Education, while working part time and looking after her younger siblings.
“It’s hard to be selfish and stubborn about what you want,” Fatuma expressed about balancing her wants and responsibilities as a first-born.
While in college, Fatuma mastered multitasking. She worked for a literary magazine as managing editor. In the beginning, she also worked at her college’s writing center, where she helped other students write and polish their papers. “Finals weeks and midterms were rough,” she explained that it was the time students went in for help the most. But when it was slow, she would be on her shift, and no one would come in. She took that opportunity to work on her homework.
After graduating college, Fatuma worked at a charter school, where she taught 10th graders for 5 years. “People don’t realize how much we give ourselves to the job,” Fatuma explained about the many hats educators wear despite being underpaid (i.e., planning lessons, teaching, attending meetings, contacting parents, acting as mentors, counselors, and pseudo moms and dads). On top of that, they are expected to walk into the classroom each day and put on their Teacher Face, even if they have challenges in their personal lives. This year, she became an Instructional Coach, responsible for training other teachers.
In 2020, as many lounged at home during the Coronavirus pandemic and binged on Netflix series, with the money she saved, Fatuma launched Tuma’s Books—an online bookstore that embraces diversity.
“I realized that life is too short,” Fatima said about the moment she decided to become an entrepreneur. “I jumped right in and made a lot of mistakes."
Knowing herself, she knew that if she did research, she would be discouraged or delay starting a business until she figured everything out. “If I’m going to waste money, let it be my own money,” she added.
With no formal business proposal or hands-on business experience, Fatuma jumped into an industry that few people of color find themselves in. Although she’s not naturally a tech or math person, she’s a fast learner and was able to design her own website and manage her own accounting.
“I don’t want a business that just makes money. I also want to serve,” Fatuma expressed. She uses funds from the donations made on her website to purchase books and donate them to schools and organizations.
As someone who always loved to read and values diversity, it was a no-brainer to start a business that catered to bookworms who long to explore the cultural diversity in our world and expand minds. From Cambodian to Sudanese literature and more, Fatuma is intentional about introducing varying voices that include everyone. This is the type of business Fatuma needed as a 16-year-old, she mentioned.
“White Supremacy is wrong,” Fatuma commented on the fact that the publishing industry needs to be more inclusive by sharing stories and characters that represent a variety of races. “It’s important to read about other people because we are going to be interacting with them,” the Gambian-American educator and entrepreneur added.
Once Fatuma clocks out of her teaching job at 5:30 p.m., from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. she works on her virtual business. One Saturday a month, she plans out her content for the month. Twice a week, orders are packaged, picked, and dropped off at the post office. As she fulfills orders, her supportive husband (who works from home), drops them off when he is available. She keeps herself abreast of her business by networking online and offline and follows people who post about books on Bookstagram (Book Instagram).
Zara Mahmud, Fatuma’s former classmate and friend of 18 years said, “Fatuma is one of the most incredible women I know. She’s been a leader since her youth. She is a role model and mentor to her siblings. She was a community leader at her university, exemplified in the clubs she’s led. She’s a teacher who makes a difference in underserved communities. And, most recently, Fatuma became a successful entrepreneur with her business, “Tuma’s Books: Online Bookstore & Monthly Book Club.”
“Fatuma is a rare gem who truly cares about her communities. She uses ‘Tuma’s Books’ to not only engage readers with a focus on supporting BIPOC authors & stories, but also uses a portion of her business to provide free books to underserved schools and students. Fatuma inspires me with her passion for life and how she gives back to others. I know she’s an inspiration to countless others as well,” Zara added.
Aware that literacy in the African community is low, one day avid reader, educator, and entrepreneur Fatuma plans on opening a community space in the Bronx. There, she would host events that bring people together, provide tutoring, support small businesses, and run book drives. “Life is hard enough. We don’t have to do it alone. The whole community is supposed to thrive together,” she said.
Although she is successful at everything she pursues, Fatuma wants to be remembered as someone who was honest and served others. Her success story teaches us that if there is a need in an industry, we must stand up, be creative, and use the resources available to us to make life easier and worthwhile for others.
Inside the life of an entrepreneur
“White Supremacy is wrong....It’s important to read about other people because we are going to be interacting with them.”
Fatuma understands what it’s like being judged or misunderstood. In school she used to be called “African booty-scratcher.” When she began teaching, she tried to support Muslim students. Since she’s Muslim and knows the challenges that come with being a minority, she helped Muslim students embrace their Islamic identity. During Ramadan, she allowed them to stay in a classroom with her so they wouldn't watch students that were not fasting devour their meals. She would also encourage Muslim students to share their Eid photos (where they dressed up for the occasion) with their non-Muslim classmates so they could have conversations about the significance of the Islamic Holiday (Eid).
“A strong woman is someone who is self-aware, true to her identity, morals, and does not let others make her act outside of who she is.”
Fatuma and her supportive husband
“Don’t be afraid to invest in yourself as soon as you can afford it.”
“I can’t hold everything in my brain. I have a physical planner. I look at my schedule the previous night and in the morning. If it’s not written down, it doesn’t exist. ”
“On social media we look at others and compare ourselves. Success is very personal. If you’re happy and content with [what you’ve done in your life], that’s your version of success.”
“Ask for help or seek resources. Find a mentor/people who have done it before to save time.”
“We talk ourselves out of so many things. Just do it!”
Connect with Fatuma:
Instagram: @tumasbooks
Facebook: Tuma’s Books
LinkedIn: Fatuma Hydara
Email: info@tumasbooks.com
Website: https://www.tumasbooks.com/pages/about-tumas-books
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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