Some 2020 Events, Books and Other Significant Things to Check Out

Listings updated on January 30, 2020.

Top: A flyer for the 'Mandela: Struggle for Freedom' and at the bottom is the cover of Zalika Reid-Benta's book 'Frying Plantain' which centres the Eglinton Avenue West and Oakwood Avenue area, commonly known as "Little Jamaica" in the storytelling.

January

-       Mandela: Struggle for Freedom, an exhibition presented by TO Live at the Meridan Arts Centre (formerly Toronto Centre for the Arts), 5040 Yonge St., Toronto, will end on Sunday, January 5. Tolive.com/mandela

-       “Knew Me: 10 Men. 10 Stories” – a book launch event on Saturday, January 11, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Daniels Spectrum Event Space, 585 Dundas St. E., Toronto. Co-authors: Dr. Joseph Acquave, Randell Adjei, Nicholas Barham, Jamal Campbell, Jelani Daniel, Chris Duff, Keith Hill Jr., Jeff A.D. Martin, Jermaine Spence and Danny Stone. A free event. Visit http://www.knewmovement.com/

-       “Everyday Ubuntu: Living Better Together, The African Way” by author Mungi Ngomane, granddaughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, will be launched on Monday, January 20 at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, 777 Bathurst St., Toronto. Tickets: $40 (A copy of the book included.)

-       Sex Now Online 2019 Survey. Community-Based Research Centre (CBRC) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to using community participatory research to develop knowledge about gay men’s health and to develop interventions addressing health and social issues. Its Sex Now Online Survey team is urging Black, Caribbean and African Two-Spirit, Gay, Bisexual and Queer Trans and Cis (2GBQT) men to complete the survey which seeks to address their unique healthcare-related needs and experiences. Visit www.cbrc.net/sexnow.  The deadline is Monday, January 20.

-       Ontario Black History Society’s Black History Month Kick-Off Brunch on January 26, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. at the Beanfield Centre, Exhibition Place, 105 Prince’s Blvd., Toronto. Keynote speaker: Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director & Co-Head, Toronto International Film Festival. Tickets: 135, Early Bird: $125, Students: $95

-       [Worth reading -- Metcalf Foundation report “The Working Poor in Toronto Region: A closer look at the increasing numbers” released in November 2019. An examination of the chapter pertaining to the Black community and poverty increasing in second- and third- generation Black Canadians. Dr. Carl James and Dr. Kofi Hope, two well-known Black Canadian scholars, did the analysis.]

Some new books worth reading in 2020:

"The Skin We're In: A Year Of Black Resistance and Power" by activist and journalist Desmond Cole. Published by Doubleday Canada. January 28, 2020.

"Until We Are Free: Reflections on Black Lives Matter in Canada" edited by Rodney Diverlus, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Toronto; Sandy Hudson, founder of the Black Lives Matter movement presence in Canada; and Syrus Marcus Ware, a core team member of Black Lives Matter Toronto. Published by University of Regina Press. February 1, 2020.

"My Mother's Daughter: An Immigrant Family's Journey of Struggle, Grit and Triumph" by Perdita Felicien. Published by Doubleday Canada. April 14, 2020.

February

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-       Boonooonoonos Brunch at the Jamaican Canadian Association on Sunday, February 9, honouring Jamaica’s first national hero, Marcus Garvey; 1:00-5:00 p.m. at the JCA Centre, 995 Arrow Rd., Toronto. Tickets: $55. Call 416-746-5772 ext. 249. membership@jcaontario.org

-       Kuumba, Harbourfront Centre marks its 25th anniversary with a month of programming curated by Ashley McKenzie-Barnes.

“Representative of a jubilee, silver itself is a radiant, mirroring element that forces us to look into our own reflection and resurface a very deep wisdom that can bring forth an understanding of our ancestry and history. The use of silver is traditional in its meaning but also modern, resistant and vibrant in its form. The same composition is emulated throughout Kuumba25, as we examine the past through cultural expression, ritual and memorabilia, while re-envisioning our identities through art, culture and education.”

March

-       International Women’s Day (Sunday, March 8)

April

Dr. Gervan Fearon is the recipient of the Vice Chancellor Award which will be presented at the 11th annual UWI Toronto Benefit Gala on April 4 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Toronto

-       11^th annual UWI Toronto Benefit Gala on April 4 at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Toronto.  The press release is below.

Prestigious University of the West Indies enters new decade of fundraising in Canada
Toronto’s yearly benefit gala instrumental to educational empowerment of island nations 

TORONTO, November 27, 2019 – The University of the West Indies (UWI), ranked in the top four per cent of the world’s best universities, is entering its second decade of giving with the annual UWI Toronto Benefit Gala on April 4, 2020. As the University’s largest fundraising event in Canada, the gala helps provide critical scholarships to empower students with education that shapes future generations of the island nations. 

Through its commitment over the past ten years, the Gala has awarded 550 scholarships and raised more than $2 million – figures it hopes to surpass over the next decade. 

“Students in the Caribbean depend on the support and generosity of Canada’s business and academic communities, including its Caribbean diaspora,” said Donette Chin-Loy Chang, Toronto UWI Benefit Gala co-patron. “As we enter our 11th year of fundraising, we look forward to continuing our efforts in providing access to quality education that graduates leaders who make impactful contributions on a global scale,” she added. 

Caribbean countries live in a constant state of vulnerability - economically, environmentally, and socially. Increasing intellectual capital through higher education of the region’s population is the most effective way to find innovative solutions that impact the society’s health and wellbeing.

The benefits of education reach far and wide; many UWI graduates have gone on to make their mark worldwide – including Canada – in all areas of life, from education and business to research and medicine. 

The 2020 Gala awards ceremony boasts an impressive list of honourees: Dr. David Suzuki (Luminary Award); The Honourable Margaret McCain (G. Raymond Chang Award); Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited (Chancellor Award); Mr. Harold Braithwaite, Dr. Gervan Fearon, and Ms. Shastri Ramnath (Vice Chancellor Award). These women and men continue to inspire us and give light to aspiring students globally. In addition, a highlight of the evening will be the introduction of an inspiring student whose remarkable story of survival gives us all hope for a better future. 

Other Co-Patrons of the UWI Toronto Benefit Gala are Andrew Chang, and Brigette Chang Addorisio, with Wesley J. Hall, as Honorary Patron. The Event is once again proudly supported by Scotiabank for the 11th year, and will be held at the Toronto Ritz Carlton. For more information please visit www.uwitorontogala.org. 

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The crowdfunding campaign to raise $30,000 to stage the spring production continues for Scott Joplin's TREEMONISHA, one of the world's first Black operas being produced by Volcano Theatre. Sharing a press release about a launch that was held in Toronto on November 21, 2019.