Uncle Bobbie's Canceled Kaepernick Book Event

A Philadelphia bookstore lost a scheduled event after a national nonprofit took over management of the author's book tour.

Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Uncle Bobbie's Canceled Kaepernick Book Event

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Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books in Germantown canceled an event for Colin Kaepernick's memoir, The Perilous Fight. The cancellation occurred after the National Association of Black Bookstores assumed management control of the author's tour.

Why it matters

The conflict highlights tensions between independent retailers and centralized management organizations aiming to redistribute tour opportunities. The nonprofit stated it shifted focus to include smaller Black-owned bookstores that were previously excluded from the events.

The Perilous Fight retails for $32.50, while Tisha Campbell's memoir is priced at $29.99. The National Association of Black Bookstores is currently coordinating tour logistics with 17 partner bookstores.

The players

Colin Kaepernick

He is a former professional football player who gained national prominence for his 2016 protests during the national anthem.

Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books

This is an independent bookstore located in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia.

National Association of Black Bookstores

This nonprofit organization manages event logistics for various authors and aims to support Black-owned retail spaces.

Justin Moore

He serves as the general manager for Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books in Philadelphia.

The details

Justin Moore, general manager of Uncle Bobbie's Coffee and Books, stated the store canceled the event due to the actions taken by the National Association of Black Bookstores. The nonprofit denied claims that it intentionally sought to exclude the Philadelphia retailer, asserting that its new management structure prioritizes expanding the tour footprint to smaller venues.

Colin Kaepernick began his protests of racial inequities during a football game in 2016.
The Perilous Fight memoir was released in bookstores in September 2026.

Market Landscape

This dispute illustrates the friction that occurs when independent stores transition from direct publisher agreements to participation in broader, nonprofit-managed tour structures. The move signifies a shift toward centralized retail coordination as nonprofits gain influence in the author tour ecosystem.

Local shoppers expecting to see the author at the Germantown location will need to check the official tour schedule for alternative venues. The change in tour management may influence where future high-profile author events are hosted within the city.

The takeaway

The move to centralized management reflects a broader push by nonprofit organizations to standardize equity in bookstore event programming. Retailers and shoppers should anticipate shifts in event access as management models evolve to prioritize wider venue inclusion.