Press Release for Immediate Release

 Toronto’s A Different Booklist Cultural Centre is on the Move

Itah Sadu in the ADBCC 

Toronto Friday April 8th., 11.30 am - 12.30 pm, at 777 Bathurst Street. A Different Booklist Cultural Centre (ADBCC) will be holding a press conference to announce its progress to date in the development of a permanent home for the Cultural Centre in the new Mirvish development. 

Exciting highlights will include the announcement of the partnership and long-term lease between the ADBCC and the City of Toronto, and the release of the new name for the Centre.

Joining the event will be Councillor Mike Layton (Ward 11), community members, and Board members of the ADBCC.

A Different Booklist Cultural Centre (ADBCC) has been developing and celebrating Black literature, arts, and culture in Toronto since 2015 and is rooted in the 25-year history of A Different Booklist, an independent bookstore, and has since become a meeting place, and a space of ideas and Black artistic expression. It is unique in that it exists to capture, protect, share and celebrate the literature, art and culture of all the African and Caribbean Canadian communities.
The mission and vision of the ADBCC – The People’s Residence is to create a world-class model for preserving and building on the historic cultural identity of evolving neighbourhoods and to provide opportunities for Canadians and visitors to Canada to celebrate and engage in the rich cultural legacy and history of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry.
Drawing from the mission and vision, ADBCC - The People’s Residence aspires to:
o Engage in activities and initiate programs which support the intellectual, cultural, social, educational, and economic well-being of African and Caribbean Canadian communities.
o Engage in partnerships and collaborations with individuals and organizations that help to enrich the literary, cultural, intellectual, and educational fabric of Canadian society.

For More information Contact STEPHEN WEIR 416-801-3101

Toronto's 31-year long love affair with the memory of Bob Marley

Toronto marks Bob Marley’s 77th Birthday this Sunday

Eight-community leader to receive Bob Marley Day Humanitarian Awards

 

Information Bulletin  This is the 31st time that the city has honoured the late great Jamaican musician.  In previous years there have been public events held to mark the Reggae star’s birthday, this year it will be recorded at A Different Booklist Cultural Centre - The People's Residence.

 

The Award Ceremony – sponsored by Roots Canada - airs Bob Marley Day’s YouTube Channel on Sunday, February 6th at 3:00pm.

 
After the Proclamation issued by Mayor John Tory is read, we will honour this year’s recipients of the Bob Marley Humanitarian Award. 

 

Receiving awards this year will be:
 
1.Ian Allen (OBVC Board member and Director of Strategic Communications and Initiatives, Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat)
2.Steve Anderson (Deputy Mayor for the Town of Shelburne and a Regional Councillor for the County of Dufferin)
3.Deborah Cox (Award winning entertainer)
4.Gervan Fearon (President George Brown College)
5.Tiffany Ford (Entrepreneur, Former School Board Trustee and Community Advocate)
6.Siphesihle November (Principal Dancer National Ballet of Canada) 
7.Valarie Steele (Community Activist)

8.Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard (Canadian Senator from Nova Scotia)

 

The Bob Marley Day team is tweeting out the photos and bios of this year’s recipients, one at a time over the next three days. Our first tweet is below.

 

Bob Marley Day Toronto

@BobMarleyDayTO

Congratulations to Ian Allen on being named one of the 2022 Bob Marley Day award recipients. Ian is a @blackvoteCanada Board member and Director of Strategic Communications and Initiatives for the Ontario Treasury Board Secretariat #onelove

For information, interviews and photographs

Contact the Bob Marley Day committee

Bobmarleydayto@gmail.com

Anti Gun Violence March This Saturday, Yonge and Bloor Street 3pm Toronoto

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Wednesday, September 22, 2021
 
Mother’s Peace Walk – against Gun Violence and recognizing the National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Homicide
Saturday, September 25^th, starting from Yonge and Bloor at 3:00PM
 
Mothers from across the city and province, impacted by the tragic loss of children due to gun violence will be walking for peace to recognize the National Day of Remembrance for victims of homicide on Saturday, September 25^th.
 
The Walk for Peace is being organized several community organizations that are working to engage mothers and families in desperate need of multiple supports to deal with their never ending grief and trauma, after losing children to gun violence..
 
“This never ending grief and trauma creates conditions that help to feed into the vicious cycle of gun violence that continues to devastate people’s lives, families and communities” according to Louis March, Founder of the Zero Gun Violence Movement..
 
The Peace Walk is an opportunity for the Mothers to speak out about the impact of gun violence on their lives and an opportunity to say, enough is enough, and that the time is now for all levels of government to listen and take action. Clearly what is being done now, is not working.  
 
In addition to the mothers speaking out, the program will also include several young people who have been directly impacted by gun violence. One person recently had over 50 rounds shot through his house and with one bullet passing within inched of his head. Unfortunately, he had had also loss a close friend to gun violence. Another young person will speak about the recent loss of a close friend who had turned his life around  and had become a model citizen, community champion and youth worker, impacting many lives in a positive ways.
 
Also featured on the program will be various local artists speaking about the horrors of gun violence and encouraging people to value their own lives and the lives of others. The Peace Walk will end up at Nathan Phillips Square where the program will take place.
 
Please contact Louis March from Zero Gun Violence Movement at 416 577 3908 or Brooklyn Watson from Dear Black Men at 647-769-1623 for further information.

The Last RBC Taylor Prize / Ben McNally Books & Brunch

Book event to be held Sunday March 1st at 10 am in Toronto

TORONTO, Feb. 21, 2020 /CNW/ - The RBC Taylor Prize and Ben McNally Books are presenting the 20th annual Books & Brunch featuring the five finalists for the 2020 RBC Taylor Prize on Sunday, March 1st at 10:00 a.m. in the Vanity Fair Ballroom of the Omni King Edward Hotel in downtown Toronto.

The Brunch is an opportunity for the public to meet all five finalists and hear them discuss their books.

A tradition since the first awarding of the Prize in 2000, this event always sells out. This is the last year for the Taylor Prize and therefore the last year for the Taylor Prize / Ben McNally Books and Brunch. Tickets are now on sale for just $60.

The authors of the five books shortlisted for the 2019 RBC Taylor Prize who will speak and their books are:

The Mosquito by Timothy C. Winegard

The Reality Bubble by Ziya Tong

Highway of Tears by Jessica McDiarmid

Had it Coming by Robyn Doolittle

Bush Runner by Mark Bourrie

What: The 2020 RBC Taylor Prize Shortlist Books & Brunch presented by Ben McNally Books

When: Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 10:00 am

Where: Vanity Fair Ballroom, 2nd Floor, Omni King Edward Hotel

Tickets: $60 purchased in advance by calling Ben McNally Books 416.361.0032

The annual Taylor Prize will be awarded Monday, March 2nd at a gala luncheon. The Prize consists of $5000 for each of the finalists, and a further $25,000 for the winner. The finalists and the winner are supported by an extensive promotional campaign.

The media sponsors are The Globe and Mail, Cision, Quill & Quire magazine, and Howl Radio. In-kind sponsors include Ben McNally Books, Event Source, Toronto International Festival of Authors, and The Omni King Edward Hotel.

Our thanks to CNW Group for sponsoring this announcement.

For further information: Media contact: Stephen Weir & Associates; Stephen Weir: 416-489-5868 | cell: 416-801-3101 | stephen@stephenweir.com

Emancipation Day Proclaimation Demanded by Freedom Train Conductor

Look Down The Track Senators – Wanda’s Emancipation Train Is Heading For Ottawa.

By Stephen Weir

Wanda Thomas Bernard at the mike Union Station

Stand back  honourable members of the Senate. The Emancipation Train is heading to Ottawa and Senator Wanda Thomas Bernard is going to blow her conductor’s whistle until Canada’s Upper House listens to the voices of the Caribbean and African American communities.

Dr. Bernard championed a bill proclaiming August 1^st Emancipation Day in Canada. Even though the legislation was passed by the Liberal Government and made it through two readings in the Senate, it failed to come up for the final vote before the Senate recessed.  The bill will not be brought back for a third and final reading.

At last Wednesday’s Freedom Train Ride in Toronto, the Nova Scotia senator said she is not going to give up.  Speaking to a crowd of close to 1,000 people inside TTC ‘s Union Station she told them  “I am 66 years old and I don’t have to retire (from the Senate) until I am 75. We will not give up anytime soon!”

 At Right: Libations - Aina-Nia Ayo'dele

For the seventh year in a row there was a special midnight subway train that took hundreds of people from Union Station to the Sheppard West Station. The symbolic special train left the station on July 31st and arrived at Sheppard just after midnight to celebrate the August 1^st Emancipation Day.

“This year was our seventh annual Freedom Train ride,” said organizer Itah Sadu.  “ It was an incredible journey and experience! This was second year that the Honourable Wanda Thomas Bernard, has joined us, but this was her first time as our honourary conductor. She had the whistle and gave the call to board the train.”

Train Arrives at Sheppard

Also taking part in the Freedom Train ceremonies  were poet George Elliott Clarke, City Councillor Michael Thompson and community organizer Adisa S. Oji. Councillor Thompson brought greetings and a plaque on behalf of the city and Mr. Oji was presented with the Community Resilience Award. 

Last week’s train ride marked two important things.  The Underground Railroad which brought former slaves to Canada in the 19^th century and the 185th anniversary of Emancipation Day on August 1, when the British Empire abolished slavery in 1834.  

The Senator hopes that she will be back next August 1^st with an official Federal Government signed Emancipation Day proclamation!

Jessica J. Lee is a British-Canadian-Taiwanese author and environmental historian.

Tuesday, April 16, 2019 • Toronto, Ontario: For immediate Release

 Kate Harris Names Jessica J. Lee to the 2019 RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award

With an unwavering commitment to supporting and encouraging emerging Canadian talent, the Charles Taylor Foundation and RBC Wealth Management are pleased to announce that Jessica J. Lee is the sixth recipient of its annual Emerging Writer Award. The London ON born writer, now living in Berlin, was chosen by Kate Harris, winner of the 2019 RBC Taylor Prize for her book Lands of Lost Borders: Out of Bounds on the Silk Road. The Prize consists of a $10,000 cash prize and mentorship by Ms. Harris.

RBC Taylor Prize Founder Noreen Taylor commented: “Jessica J. Lee is exactly the kind of writer we envision for the Emerging Author award. A multi-talented young person, Lee is about to break out on several fronts. She is a committed environmental historian who also just happens to be a talented writer and is also encouraging young diverse writers by editing and publishing the Willowherb Review. This award will assist Lee towards completing her multiple projects.”

Vijay Parmar, President of RBC PH&N Investment Counsel added: “On behalf of RBC Wealth Management, congratulations to Jessica J. Lee on being named this year’s RBC Taylor Prize Emerging Writer Award winner. We can’t wait to see what you do next. We’re incredibly proud to support this Award and the opportunity it offers our country’s rising authors to advance their literary careers.”

Kate Harris noted that Jessica J. Lee is an “uber-talented Canadian author, whose first book, Turning, I deeply admired for its gorgeous mix of memoir and nature/travel writing. It’s about the year she spent swimming a different lake every weekend as a way of moving through heartbreak and depression. I also love the fact that she’s founded a literary magazine, The Willowherb Review, to celebrate and bolster nature writing by emerging and established diverse writers. She’s definitely a nonfiction voice I want to hear more from.”

Lee enthused “I’m completely surprised and honoured that Kate Harris selected me for the RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award. Since receiving the news, I’ve felt like a pool of jelly — it means a lot to me that I’ll be joining such a brilliant community of previous winners. The gift of time that an award like this brings is more than I can put into words: this will grant me time to really focus on finishing my next book and working on projects like The Willowherb Review. The opportunity to be in touch with a fellow writer, scholar, and nature-lover like Kate is extraordinary—I’m sure we’ll have quite a lot to talk about over the coming year. I’m so grateful to Kate and the award committee: thank you!”

The RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award was established to provide recognition and assistance to a Canadian published author who is working on a significant writing project, preferably but not limited to the genre of literary non-fiction. Through mentorship from the current RBC Taylor Prize winner and the cash award, it is intended that the recipient will be able to progress toward the creation of a first draft.

Jessica J. Lee

Jessica J. Lee is a British-Canadian-Taiwanese author and environmental historian. She has a BA from University of Kings College, Halifax, an MA from University of London, and a PhD in Environmental History and Aesthetics from York University in Toronto. Her first book, Turning, was published in 2017. She has lived in Berlin since 2014, where she is Writer-in-Residence at the Leibniz Institute for Freshwater Ecology.

Kate Harris has written for The Walrus, Canadian Geographic, and The Georgia Review, among other publications. A Rhodes scholar (Oxford — History of Science) with degrees from MIT and UNC Chapel Hill, she was named one of Canada’s top modern-day explorers and has won several awards for her nonfiction writing. She lives off-grid in a log cabin in Atlin, BC. Lands of Lost Borders is her first book.

Kate Harris won the Taylor Prize - photo Sandler

About RBC

Royal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 84,000+ employees who bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada’s biggest bank, and one of the largest in the world based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our 16 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 33 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.‎

We are proud to support a broad range of community initiatives through donations, community investments and employee volunteer activities. See how at rbc.com/community-sustainability.

About the RBC Taylor Prize

Established in 1998 by the trustees of the Charles Taylor Foundation and first awarded in 2000, the RBC Taylor Prize commemorates Charles Taylor’s pursuit of excellence in the field of literary non-fiction. Awarded to the author whose book best combines a superb command of the English language, an elegance of style, and a subtlety of thought and perception. All finalists receive $5,000, and the winner receives a further $25,000. All authors are presented with a custom leather bound version of their shortlisted book at the awards ceremony. All finalists receive promotional support for their nominated titles.

The trustees of the Charles Taylor Foundation are: Vijay Parmar, David Staines, Edward Taylor, Nadina Taylor, and Noreen Taylor. The Prize Manager is Sheila Kay.

Media contact: Stephen Weir & Associates

Stephen Weir: 416.489.5868 | cell: 416.801.3101 | stephen@stephenweir.com

For general information about the Prize please go to: www.rbctaylorprize.ca
Follow the RBC Taylor Prize on Twitter at www.twitter.com/taylorprize
Like the RBC Taylor Prize on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RBCTaylorPrize

To download a high-resolution image of the recipient of the 2019 RBC Taylor

Emerging Writer Award, please go to:
www.rbctaylorprize.ca/2019/hr_images/2019_rbctpew_jessica_lee_hr_cred_paul_capewell.jpg

Ring of Peace around City Shul in Toronto

Media Advisory

DATE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2018

TIME: 9:30 A.M.

WHERE: 300 BLOOR STREET WEST, TORONTO

post event pick-up

In response to the murders of eleven worshippers at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, the Christian and Muslim faith communities have come together in Toronto to form a ring of peace around the Bloor Street United Church (300 Bloor Street West) where the congregants of City Shul will be worshipping. In February 2017, the Christian and Jewish communities came together to form a ring of peace around the Islamic Information and Dawah Centre for their first day of prayers after the murders in Quebec City on January 27.

 

Toronto Sun TV/Print

It is expected that hundreds of people will stand peaceful watch from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on both sides of Bloor Street, from Spadina to Huron, and Huron to Prince Arthur.

  

The Ring of Peace will conclude at 10:30. All are asked to depart at this time. The Shabbat for Solidarity is for the members of City Shul - please do not enter the house of worship following the Ring of Peace.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people should do nothing.” – a twenty-first century paraphrasing of Edmund Burke.

Front Page Toronto Star

For more information, please contact:

The Reverend Canon Gary van der Meer at St. Anne's Church: gary.vandermeer@saintanne.ca

Marc Côté: m.cote@cormorantbooks.com or 416 925 8887, x 200

Stephen Weir: | stephen@stephenweir.com
Tel: 416-489-5868 | cell: 416-801-3101 

CBC National News TV

King and Shields Talk Water Lilies (and Claude Monet)

ROSS KING DELIVERS THE 2018 RBC Taylor Prize Talk at Toronto International Festival of Authors Sunday October 28th, 2 pm. Brigantine Room, 205 Queens Quay West.

For immediate release – Art historian, Ross King, winner of the 2017 RBC Taylor Prize will discuss his award-winning book, Mad Enchantment: Claude Monet at the Painting of the Water Lilies, with AGO’s Caroline Shields, at the Toronto International Festival of Authors, Sunday October 28th, at 2pm. The book tells the true story of Manet’s iconic paintings at Giverny, widely touted as the last hurrah of Impressionism, and  also discusses Manet’s personal turmoil during WW1 and the last years of his life.  He will discuss this with Caroline Shields, Asst Curator of European Art at the Art Gallery of Ontario, and a specialist in 19thCentury European Art. Tickets and information are available at www.festivalofauthors.ca. About the RBC Taylor Prize Established in 1998 by the trustees of the Charles Taylor Foundation and first awarded in 2000, 2018 marks the seventeenth awarding of the RBC Taylor Prize, which commemorates Charles Taylor’s pursuit of excellence in the field of literary non-fiction. Awarded to the author whose book best combines a superb command of the English language, an elegance of style, and a subtlety of thought and perception, the Prize consists of $5,000 for each finalist, and a further $25,000 for the winner. All authors are presented with a custom leatherbound version of their shortlisted book at the awards ceremony. The Prize provides all the finalists with promotional support to help all of the nominated books to stand out in the media, bookstores, and libraries. Earlier this year, Tanya Talaga won the 2018 RBC Taylor Prize for her book Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City, published by House of Anansi Press.

“All Aboard the Freedom Train” Tuesday night. Toronto. 10.30 PM Union Station

Jean Augustine (left). Rita Cox (far right) at last year's ride

When Conductor Rita Cox blows the whistle a thousand people will take a ride on Toronto’s Freedom Train.

Rita Cox, a longtime Toronto Caribbean community leader, is getting ready to blow her whistle and yell “All Aboard the Freedom Train” as Toronto gets set to mark Emancipation Day.  For the sixth year in a row there will be a special midnight TTC train that will take hundreds of people to the Sheppard West Station on July 31^st to celebrate the August 1^st date.

It all begins July 31st at 10:45pm at Toronto’s Union subway station. “We will be boarding the Underground Freedom Train at 11:30pm and travelling straight to Sheppard West subway station (previously Downsview station), arriving there at 12:15am on August 1st,” explained organizer Itah Sadu. “ The date is internationally acclaimed as Emancipation Day.” 
“This year’s sixth annual Freedom Train ride will be an incredible journey and experience about the Underground Railroad and the history of Emancipation Day,” She told the Caribbean Camera. “Opening ceremonies will begin at 10:45pm at Union subway station and half-an-hour later Dr. Rita Cox, our honourary conductor, will give the call to board the train.”

People will gather by the Brookfield Rotunda TTC entrance on the main floor of Union Station.  Last year over 1,000 people took the train to Sheppard West Station.

As people board the train there will be drumming, spoken word and songs will be sung, along with a tribute to the resilience of the many who travelled along the Underground Railway, seeking freedom in Canada. During the ride there will be a moment of silence called over the train’s intercom.
Rita Cox is often dubbed “Canada’s Icon”.  Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, the Master Storyteller, Author and Retired Librarian is a member of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival’s Festival Management Committee.  She has won numerous awards, including the 1996 Canadian Library Association Public Service Award and the Black Achievement Award. In 1997, Dr. Cox was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada for her outstanding work in storytelling and literacy. She is also the recipient of honourary degrees from York and Wilfrid Laurier universities.

Also on board Tuesday night will be: Dr. Edith Lorimar, producer Fatima Mohamed and Master Drummer Muhtadi Thomas and Muhtadi International Drumming,

Everyone is welcome to join us on this Underground Freedom Train Ride to celebrate Emancipation Day. People will need a regular TTC ticket for admission and come prepared for being part of a very unique subway ride. Sixth annual Underground Freedom Train Ride t-shirts are available for purchase at A Different Booklist store, prior to the ride. Further information - available at A Different Booklist 416-538-0889 or by following on twitter @FreedomTrainTOR.