From Raleigh’s Capitol building to Capitol Hill, Victoria Scott-Miller has taken her mission of liberation across various platforms and areas. 

Scott-Miller’s activism took a new direction after a life-changing discovery. Born to an environmentalist and historical photographer, she was guided by literature in her advocacy for the safety and stories of Black Americans. Early in her life, her family made a significant find– while her mother was pregnant with Scott-Miller’s younger sister, they discovered old letters wrapped in plastic bags in the basement of a Philadelphia house. After years untouched, her family came to realize that the letters were correspondence between abolitionist Frederick Douglass and Nathaniel Knight, a white bookstore owner. The letters delved into Douglass’ reflections on what freedom meant to a slave, a freedman, and a Black man in America. 

This discovery brought newfound attention to the Scott-Miller family, positioning them to further their mission. In September, Scott-Miller spoke about this pivotal moment at the Atlantic Festival, highlighting how the letters propelled her family’s work in fostering liberation and education through literature that looks like its readers. 

Their find funded the founding of Liberation Station, an independent children’s bookstore that focuses on centering Black narratives and characters to ensure that young readers of color see themselves in their readings. According to Statista, this store would become one of just 6% of independent Black-owned bookstores in the United States.

The physical store opened on Juneteenth in 2023. There was a three-day celebration welcoming the business just yards from the Capitol’s steps. The first day involved a rendition of Lift Every Voice and Sing by the North Carolina Opera, followed by a book signing from Black authors, both nationally and locally renowned. On the second day of its opening, members of the community were invited to slip on white gloves to interact with the historic letters Scott-Miller’s family found, and first-edition signed copies of Black classics from authors like Toni Morrison and James Baldwin. The final day of Liberation Station’s grand opening fell on Father’s Day. Black fathers were given bouquets before Black equestrians led a march down the road.

“We had a liberation parade because the city, at the time, would not approve any permits that we asked for,” said Scott-Miller. “In opposition to that, a horse is considered a slow-moving vehicle. We had a truck come behind us, we were in the middle, and then the horses were in the front. And we were able to march down the street from the Capitol to the front door of our building.”

With this visibility came challenges. While many embraced their mission, the increased recognition also brought backlash. Liberation Station and its owners were the target of criticisms and threats, many of which were received virtually. It wasn’t until they escalated to become much more personal that the Scott-Miller family was forced to take action.

“The unique thing about the internet is that we don’t really know what to take seriously and not,” Scott-Miller said. “And it really wasn’t until they involved our child that we really needed to reevaluate this.”

After visits from representatives from the Department of Justice and dismissive responses from their property’s leasing manager, Scott-Miller determined that her family’s safety was in her own hands.

“It was very important that people recognize the threat that exists, not only with Black books but with Black families doing this work,” Scott-Miller said. “We thought about, as we were navigating this, what exactly happens when we talk about what’s happening and the under-responsiveness of the systems that were designed to protect us? What happens when all of the media is done? What happens when all the stories are now silent? I don’t want us, or our children, our two Black boys, or my husband, looking over their shoulder.”

And so her family took time to rest. The physical storefront closed its doors and offers for donations were turned down. Financial donations, that is– Scott-Miller requested donations of stories. First-hand narratives of similar experiences in racism and threats of violence. Liberation Station continues to exist virtually, and the Scott-Miller family is exploring avenues of extending its presence during its period of rest. Duke University and Durham Hotel are some of Liberation Station’s first community partners, and the store is finding ways to expand their repertoire going forward. Liberation Station is also floating an agreement with a museum for a pop-up shop. 

In this time of lying in wait, Scott-Miller emphasizes the importance of taking time to tend to her and her family’s mental health after a difficult experience.

“We had affirmations on the wall that were meticulously placed with mustard seeds,” said Scott-Miller. “Everything about the space down to the wood choice was intentional, and so to just go ahead and create another space or put it somewhere else is not what we’re looking to do. We’re wanting to think very intentionally about what another offering would look like for the community.”