EXPERIENCE BLACK CANADIAN LITERATURE WITHOUT LEAVING DURHAM REGION
Witness exceptional Black literary arts talent in Ajax's historic Pickering Village!
BlackLit Durham is a bimonthly literary arts event produced by AfriCANthology Canada and generously supported by Ajax Public Library and St. Francis Centre. The Durham Region-based series is designed to showcase, highlight, amplify, and celebrate Black Canadian literary voices of all genres in their full splendour and diversity.
Event History
An event featuring contributors to the book AfriCANthology, hosted at Ajax's St. Francis Centre in June 2022, was such a rousing success that audience members called for a recurring series based on similar themes to showcase Black Canadian artists. The idea for BlackLit Durham was born.
Now into its third full season in the heart of Pickering Village, BlackLit Durham is the only recurring literary arts focused series of its kind in the eastern GTA, drawing audience members from across Durham Region and beyond.
Our Community
Durham Region (pop. 697,000 in 2021) is the easternmost regional municipality of the Greater Toronto Area. Most people do not realize that there are large Black populations in the Region's communities, such as Whitby, Pickering, and Oshawa. In fact, the Town of Ajax, where BlackLit Durham takes place, has the largest Black population (by percentage) of any municipality in Canada.
Our Partners
blacklit durham in the news
Blacklit Durham to feature two top Black literary voices — June 11, 2025
by sharenews.com admin, Share News, June 2025 Edition, pg. 4
"Nearly three years ago, we presented an event with Ajax Public Library to promote the release of AfriCANthology: Perspectives of Black Canadian Poets, and people loved not having to go to downtown Toronto to experience high-quality Black Canadian creativity," says Frankson.
BlackLit Durham: Pulling Black Canadian literature out of the shadows — April 3, 2025
by Chenelle Richards, The Chronicle – Durham College / Ontario Tech U.
"Black literary voices usually slip through the cracks. BlackLit Durham creates a space for Black Canadian writers and listeners yearning for authentic representation with the allure of open mic performances and diverse written works."
Upcoming events
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Wed Oct 22, 2025
A NEW SEASON FOUR (YOU):
OPENING SHOWCASEFeatured writers TBA with literary open mic. Books on sale by Blue Heron Books. Snacks and gifts for sale by local Black businesses.
Doors 6:30 p.m. • Show 7-9 p.m.
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture
78 Church St. S, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3 -
Wed Dec 10, 2025
HUMAN RIGHTS AT THE HEART OF THE SEASON
Featured writers TBA with literary open mic. Books on sale by Blue Heron Books. Snacks and gifts for sale by local Black businesses.
Doors 6:30 p.m. • Show 7-9 p.m.
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture
78 Church St. S, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3 -
Wed Feb 18, 2026
THE HISTORY OF BLACK JOY:
BHM 2026 SHOWCASEFeatured writers TBA with literary open mic. Books on sale by Blue Heron Books. Snacks and gifts for sale by local Black businesses.
Doors 6:30 p.m. • Show 7-9 p.m.
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture
78 Church St. S, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3 -
Wed Apr 15, 2026
THE (POETIC) TIES THAT BIND:
US VS. WEFeatured writers TBA with literary open mic. Books on sale by Blue Heron Books. Snacks and gifts for sale by local Black businesses.
Doors 6:30 p.m. • Show 7-9 p.m.
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture
78 Church St. S, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3 -
Wed Jun 10, 2026
4 DI CULTURE: FOUR YEARS OF BLACKLIT DURHAM
Featured writers TBA with literary open mic. Books on sale by Blue Heron Books. Snacks and gifts for sale by local Black businesses.
Doors 6:30 p.m. • Show 7-9 p.m.
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture
78 Church St. S, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
LEARN MORE ABOUT BLACKLIT DURHAM
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Our Next Event
Details about the next BlackLit Durham showcase that you don't want to miss!
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Partners
Details about the organizations that collaborate to present BlackLit Durham.
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Contact
Reach out to BlackLit Durham with comments, suggestions, and feedback.