Since 2014, the Toronto Urban Book Expo as been committed to providing a platform for published and independent authors to gain: professional development, skills/knowledge increase, international networking/support, audience growth/new readers, and also great entertainment and sightseeing in the city of Toronto coupled with positive vibes.
Nearly 100 writers have participated in the event since it's inception, with 40% of participants travelling to Toronto from across the U.S. Sponsored by the Toronto Arts Council, it has been an opportunity to share the words of Toronto's Black writing community and other independent authors and literary peers with a local and international audience.
This year's Book Expo will include the following virtual presentations:
ANGELOT NDONGMO (Toronto, Canada) - "Nurturing Our Black Children Through Literature"
ANGELA WALCOTT (Toronto, Canada) - "Reflections"
D.A. BOURNE (Toronto, Canada) - Growing Up Black in Canada: "Silence is not a Stance"
DJ MAJESTY (Toronto, Ontario) - "All Toronto Hip Hop Tribute Mix"
ISABEL HUNT (Toronto, Canada) - "What does it mean to be Black and have a mental illness?"
JAMEEL DAVIS (Cleveland, USA) - "Greetings from the Toronto Urban Book Expo Board of Directors"
JEFFREY LEE CHEATHAM II (Seattle, USA) - "Greetings from Seattle"
KAMILAH HAYWOOD (Toronto, Canada) - "The Crumbling of a System"
OSAGYEFO MCGREGOR (Toronto, Canada) - "The Power of the Press: Aligned for Success"
MUTENDEI NABUTETE (Nairobi, Kenya) - "The Role of the Writers of Africa & African Descent"
STACEY MARIE ROBINSON (Toronto, Canada) - "Notability: Bringing Black Books to Durham Region"
WILMONT ST. CYR (Spooner's Hill, Barbados) - "Greetings from Barbados"
Pending the release of travel restrictions and city event/gathering limits, the Book Expo will return for 2021 with an on-site writer's retreat and conference.