{"id":2026,"date":"2024-03-22T15:14:28","date_gmt":"2024-03-22T15:14:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/?p=2026"},"modified":"2025-04-22T15:20:16","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T15:20:16","slug":"empowering-minds-mary-taris-strive-publishing-lights-the-way-for-literary-diversity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/2024\/03\/22\/empowering-minds-mary-taris-strive-publishing-lights-the-way-for-literary-diversity\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering minds: Mary Taris\u2019 Strive Publishing lights the way for literary diversity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the heart of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.minneapolis.org\/\">Minneapolis<\/a>, where the pulse of urban life beats steadily against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers, there exists a sanctuary of words\u2014a haven where stories converge, cultures intersect, and voices long marginalized find resonance. At its helm stands\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mary-taris-strive-publishing\">Mary Taris<\/a>, a beacon of literary equity whose unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion has ignited a literary renaissance in the heart of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.minneapolis.org\/map-transportation\/maps\/\">Downtown<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Born and bred in the vibrant tapestry of Minneapolis, Taris&#8217;s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and the enduring legacy of community empowerment. A graduate of\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/north.mpschools.org\/\">North High School<\/a>, she embarked on a path paved with the dual responsibilities of motherhood and personal growth, navigating the intricacies of clerical work and imparting knowledge as a dedicated educator for over a decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yet, it was in 2018 that Taris&#8217;s journey took a transformative turn\u2014one that would redefine her purpose and reshape the literary landscape of her beloved city. With boundless determination and an unwavering vision, she founded\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/strivepubandco.com\/bookstore\">Strive Publishing<\/a>, a pioneering initiative dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and fostering cultural exchange through the written word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I wanted to bridge cultures and help shape society through literature,&#8221; Taris reflects, her voice resonating with unwavering conviction. This mission culminated in the establishment of two bookstores in Downtown Minneapolis, each a sanctuary where diverse voices converge and narratives intertwine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Our focus is on uplifting underrepresented voices,&#8221; Taris declares, her eyes gleaming with purpose. From Black authors to immigrant perspectives, from women-owned publishers to military families, Strive Bookstore transcends boundaries, fostering a vibrant tapestry of narratives that reflect the rich mosaic of human experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In a candid conversation with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/al-mcfarlane-2000006\">Al McFarlane<\/a>, Taris expounds upon the transformative power of literature to reshape societal paradigms. &#8220;Reading is not merely a solitary pursuit; it is a communal act of discovery and enlightenment,&#8221; she asserts. Through Strive Bookstore&#8217;s curated selection and engaging events, Taris endeavors to ignite a passion for reading among children and adults alike, bridging the gap in educational disparities and nurturing a lifelong love for learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We need to get books in their hands&#8230; It&#8217;s a tangible way to get children interested in books,&#8221; Taris emphasizes, underscoring the importance of literary engagement from a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Reflecting on her journey, Taris acknowledges the pivotal role of familial influence and mentorship in shaping her trajectory. &#8220;Children who see their parents reading will inevitably follow suit,&#8221; she remarks, a testament to the enduring legacy of generational empowerment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taris&#8217;s Strive Publishing stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of Black entrepreneurship. As a Black woman-owned venture, Strive Bookstore embodies the spirit of empowerment and representation. Coming from&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/kids.nationalgeographic.com\/history\/article\/black-history-month\">Black History Month<\/a>&nbsp;and now into&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/observances\/womens-day\/background\">International Women&#8217;s Month<\/a>, the significance of Taris&#8217;s ownership of Strive cannot be overstated. It is a celebration of Black excellence and a recognition of the vital role that Black women play in shaping our cultural landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As we venture into the hallowed halls of Strive Bookstore, guided by Taris&#8217;s steadfast vision, we are reminded of the transformative power of literature to transcend barriers, bridge divides, and ignite the flames of collective enlightenment. In Taris, we find not just a purveyor of books, but a visionary\u2014a literary luminary whose indomitable spirit continues to shape the cultural fabric of Downtown Minneapolis and beyond.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In the heart of\u00a0Minneapolis, where the pulse of urban life beats steadily against the backdrop of towering skyscrapers, there exists a sanctuary of words\u2014a haven where stories converge, cultures intersect, and voices long marginalized find resonance. At its helm stands\u00a0Mary Taris, a beacon of literary equity whose unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion has ignited [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[1161,38,1162],"class_list":["post-2026","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-opinion","tag-mary-taris","tag-minneapolis","tag-strive-publishing","et-doesnt-have-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2026","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2026"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2027,"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2026\/revisions\/2027"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2026"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2026"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/apexsamplework.com\/insightnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}