Black History

Toronto Public Library honours Black History year round with programs, reading lists, and podcast episodes that shine a spotlight on Black heritage and culture.

Attend these upcoming events at branches across the city. Or join us for online programs.

Upcoming Events

• Rumberos Cuban & Brazilian Drumming

  Sat Sep 23, 2023 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  Location: Oakwood Village Library and Arts Centre

  A lively drumming and dance program highlighting two of the most influential countries in world music, Cuba and Brazil, both culturally rich in rhythms and songs. Experience the exciting music of traditional cultural events l...

All Events

Live and On-Demand Events

Check out upcoming Live & Online events and watch replays of past events you may have missed on the TPL Culture channel on Crowdcast.

Reading Lists

• Black History 2023 - Adult Reading List
• Black History 2023 - Teen Reading List
• Black History 2023 - Children's Reading List
• Mois de l'histoire des Noirs 2023
• Mois de l'histoire des Noirs 2023 : livres jeunesse
• Black Lives Matter: A Booklist
• Black Lives Matter: Books for Kids
• Black Canadian Authors
• Juneteenth Reading List
• Emancipation Day in Canada 2023 Reading List

Black Voices

Videos

This video features a discussion on the importance of representation in literature, with Glory Edim, the founder of the popular book club Well Read Black Girl, and writers Jamia Wilson and Renée Watson. Moderated by writer Zalika Reid-Benta.

Explore our entire Black Voices YouTube playlist.

Podcast

Listen to these featured episodes, and discover more captivating conversations and archived recordings on our Live Mic and Writers Off the Page podcast series.

• Gwendolyn Brooks: Poems That (Don't) Cough Lightly
• Saeed Jones: How We Fight for Our Lives
• Austin Clarke: Sometimes, A Motherless Child
• Gloria Naylor: Mama Day

Related Links

• Celebrate Black History Month in 2023 at Toronto Public Library
• Emancipation Day in Canada 2022
• Black d/Deaf and Disability Excellence
• Uncovering Joy through the Eyes of Black Canadians
• Great Books on Black History in Toronto and Ontario
• Black History Month 2021: Amazing Inventors and Inventions
• Staff Picks: Black Films
• The Buzz…About Books: Celebrating Black Speculative Fiction Writers
• Virtual Exhibit: Freedom City

Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection

The Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection features over 18,000 books, DVDs, CDs, newspapers and magazines for adults, children, and teens. Materials focus on the Black and Caribbean historical and cultural experience, with a special emphasis on Canadian content.

Our Black History Image

This collage of Dr. Rita Cox was created to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection. Staff from the Maria A. Shchuka branch used images of book covers to design this imaginative homage to the collection’s namesake.

Support Heritage Collections

Help grow the Rita Cox Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection by donating to the Rita Cox Endowment Fund. Donate today at Toronto Public Library Foundation or at 416-393-7123.