Kwame Spearman, the bookseller who helped launch Denver Book Society and the former Tattered Cover CEO, said Friday that he is no longer affiliated with the Uptown shop after a wave of community criticism. His exit follows several days of online backlash over past political remarks and social media posts.
In separate statements on Friday, Spearman and Denver Book Society confirmed that he was stepping away. The bookstore said it "remains firmly in support of immigrant rights" and announced it would donate 25% of proceeds from a section featuring authors from diverse cultural backgrounds to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, according to The Denver Post.
Why the backlash
The controversy traces back to Spearman's tenure at Tattered Cover and comments he made on conservative talk radio in 2023, suggesting Denver should resume cooperation with federal immigration agents, remarks that drew quick criticism, per 5280. Those past episodes, along with accusations related to his management style and public statements, resurfaced after the Denver Book Society opened.
Community reaction
Customers, neighborhood groups and former employees began posting complaints on the store's social accounts and local forums, with some users alleging that critical comments were deleted and others questioning the shop's name and origins. Local coverage and online discussions captured both calls for accountability and vows from some readers to skip the store entirely, according to Denverite and a widely shared post on Reddit.
Owners respond
Co-owner Rich Garvin acknowledged that a leadership change was needed and said he is committed to maintaining a safe gathering place with literary programming that "inspires connection," according to The Denver Post. The statements from the shop said community events will continue while leadership roles and programming are adjusted.
Where the shop stands now
The bookstore operates out of the corner building at 1700 N. Humboldt St., which the co-owners purchased to house a curated, community-focused shop, BusinessDen reported. Management says day-to-day operations will continue while the co-owners decide on next steps for programming and staffing.
The donation pledge and leadership shuffle are intended to respond to critics, but neighborhood observers say rebuilding trust will likely take time. Spearman, who briefly posted messages from store accounts disputing that he supported Immigration and Customs Enforcement and later removed them, wrote that "this transition is not a change in direction. It is the completion of the original plan," a line reported by Westword.
