about blacklit durham
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.
Presented by:
BlackLit Durham in the news
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
Doors open/open mic sign-ups at 6:30 pm & showtime at 7 pm SHARP at all shows. FREE for all ages!
Fri August 29 2025
Emancipation: Black Voices Showcase • Canadian Black Literary Festival
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Fri August 29 2025
Emancipation: Black Voices Showcase • Canadian Black Literary Festival
More details coming soon!
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Oct 22 2025
A New Season Four (You): Opening Showcase
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Oct 22 2025
A New Season Four (You): Opening Showcase
Featured writers TBA with literary open mic. Books on sale by Blue Heron Books. Snacks and gifts for sale by local Black businesses.
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Dec 10 2025
Human Rights at the Heart of the Season
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, 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.
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Feb 18 2026
The History of Black Joy: BHM 2026 Showcase
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Feb 18 2026
The History of Black Joy: BHM 2026 Showcase
Featured writers TBA with literary open mic. Books on sale by Blue Heron Books. Snacks and gifts for sale by local Black businesses.
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed April 15 2026
The (Poetic) Ties that Bind: Us Verses We
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed April 15 2026
The (Poetic) Ties that Bind: Us Verses We
Featured writers TBA with literary open mic. Books on sale by Blue Heron Books. Snacks and gifts for sale by local Black businesses.
7pm
-
10pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
PREVIOUS Events
See event pictures from Durham Region's premier Black Canadian literature series in the BlackLit Durham Photo Gallery
Wed June 18, 2025
Third Time’s the Charm: Our Anniversary Celebration
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed June 18, 2025
Third Time’s the Charm: Our Anniversary Celebration
Featuring Bee Quammie and Matthew R. Morris with poetry open mic.
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed April 23, 2025
Spring Forward
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed April 23, 2025
Spring Forward
Featuring TracyJ and Greg Frankson with poetry open mic.
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Feb 19, 2025
Hear the Youth Speak! A Black History Month Showcase
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Feb 19, 2025
Hear the Youth Speak! A Black History Month Showcase
Featuring Dwayne Morgan with poetry open mic.
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Dec 11, 2024
Oh Holy Write: Voices of the Season
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Dec 11, 2024
Oh Holy Write: Voices of the Season
Featuring Gloria Blizzard and Joshua "Scribe" Watkis with poetry open mic.
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Oct 23, 2024
The Craft of Black Wordsmiths
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Wed Oct 23, 2024
The Craft of Black Wordsmiths
Featuring Morgan Campbell & Jolly Abrakasa with poetry open mic.
7pm
-
9pm
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts, & Culture, 78 Church Street. South, Ajax ON, L1S 6B3
Learn more About BlackLit Durham
Our Next Event
Our Next Event
Our Next Event
Details about the next BlackLit Durham showcase that you don't want to miss!
Partners
Our Next Event
Our Next Event
Details about the organizations that collaborate to present BlackLit Durham.
Contact
Our Next Event
Contact
Reach out to BlackLit Durham with comments, suggestions, and feedback.
GTA • Durham Region • Ajax • Brock • Clarington • Oshawa • Pickering • Scugog • Uxbridge • Whitby
GTA • Durham Region • Ajax • Brock • Clarington • Oshawa • Pickering • Scugog • Uxbridge • Whitby
GTA • Durham Region • Ajax • Brock • Clarington • Oshawa • Pickering • Scugog • Uxbridge • Whitby
GTA • Durham Region • Ajax • Brock • Clarington • Oshawa • Pickering • Scugog • Uxbridge • Whitby
GTA • Durham Region • Ajax • Brock • Clarington • Oshawa • Pickering • Scugog • Uxbridge • Whitby
GTA • Durham Region • Ajax • Brock • Clarington • Oshawa • Pickering • Scugog • Uxbridge • Whitby
This website uses cookies.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.