Jhoanna Belfer
OwnerManager
Professional Bio
Jhoanna Belfer is the founder and owner of Bel Canto Books, an independent bookstore with three locations in Long Beach CA. A Filipina-American poet and former hospitality executive, Jhoanna began hosting pop-up book events in 2018 as a way of connecting her business experience with her lifelong love of reading.
Bel Canto Books has been featured on Good Morning America, the Southern California News Group, Forbes.com, and BIBLIOPHILE: DIVERSE SPINES. Known for their BIPOC-centered book curation, events, and book clubs, Bel Canto Books has hosted renowned authors like John Cho, Stacey Abrams, Elise Bryant, Christina Lauren, and Angie Kim.
Jhoanna currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance and is a founding member of the Burning Issues Book Club and the Indie Bookstore Field Trips group. In 2022, she co-founded the Festival of AAPI Books and Liwanag Lit Fest, two AAPI-centered literary festivals, in partnership with the Long Beach Public Library. Jhoanna was awarded the 2023 BIPOC Bookseller Award in Innovation by Duende District & The Word.
Bel Canto Books has been featured on Good Morning America, the Southern California News Group, Forbes.com, and BIBLIOPHILE: DIVERSE SPINES. Known for their BIPOC-centered book curation, events, and book clubs, Bel Canto Books has hosted renowned authors like John Cho, Stacey Abrams, Elise Bryant, Christina Lauren, and Angie Kim.
Jhoanna currently serves on the Board of Directors of the California Independent Booksellers Alliance and is a founding member of the Burning Issues Book Club and the Indie Bookstore Field Trips group. In 2022, she co-founded the Festival of AAPI Books and Liwanag Lit Fest, two AAPI-centered literary festivals, in partnership with the Long Beach Public Library. Jhoanna was awarded the 2023 BIPOC Bookseller Award in Innovation by Duende District & The Word.
Bookstore