Meet the Team
Carolynn
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Recommended Book - Kin by Tayari Jones
Carolynn Bain is an activist, public speaker, and twice winner of Bookseller of the Year at the British Book Awards 2023 & 2025. She founded and runs our multi award-winning book shop Afrori Books, as well as creating an anti racist training programme for schools (ARK).
Carolynn loves to read fiction, but you will often find her challenging herself with something new and exciting (whether a book or a new adventure).
Through Afrori Books and her other projects, Carolynn is dedicated to changing the world one book at a time.
Oliviyah
SHOP MANAGER
Recommended Book - Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana-Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Oliviyah is the Shop Manager of Afrori Books and an event manager. She loves to read fantasy and horror, but can always be tempted by a good murder mystery (especially if it's by Dorothy Koomson).
When she's not at Afrori, you can find Oliviyah experimenting with creativity. From music to painting, Oliviyah loves to be challenged by new things.
Ysabel
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER & ADMIN ASSISTANT
Recommended Book - Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
Ysabel is the social media manager and admin assistant at Afrori Books. As a freelancer, Ysabel works with a variety of small businesses, building online communities and creating content for local businesses in the south of England.
When she's not working, you can find Ysabel writing her next song or deep diving into her next favourite TV show.