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Martin Sostre

Martin Sostre was born in Harlem in 1923. 
Courtesy of the Sostre family


There are many words to describe Martin Sostre and everything he's done with his actions and activism to raise awareness, educate and embrace change. Martin Sostre sets an example of living your legacy and in your truth. He was an activist, creator, intellect and revolutionary, He is significant in securing legal rights for prisoners.

Martin opened the first Afro Asian Bookstore in Buffalo New York. He brought the Harlem vibes to Buffalo. "Sostre got the idea to buy a $20 record player at a pawn shop and then $50 worth of jazz and rhythm and blues records. He put a loudspeaker outside the store, and the music brought young black men inside. Sostre enjoyed playing the role of mentor. "I taught continually — giving out pamphlets free to those who had no money," he later wrote. "I let them sit and read for hours in the store." His bookstore created a new world from the real word, you can escape in the literary works. 

 "street dude, a hustler"
"Living in the streets by your wits makes you alert"
Martin received a different type of education, lessons on what he later described as “the methods of the streets,” which would set the tone of what was to come. By having the proper mind frame combined with experience was helpful for Martin to adapt and understand his environment. 



Film: Frame-up! The Imprisonment of Martin Sostre

Credit/Photo/Resource:
https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/04/14/507297469/how-one-inmate-changed-the-prison-system-from-the-inside


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