Hub for black culture, history gets financial boost

TORONTO:

A cultural hub for the black community in Toronto has received $11.34 million from the federal government enabling it to realise a dream project to build its new centre. The City of Toronto is contributing $2.78 million, for a joint investment totalling $14.12 million.

The Blackhurst Cultural Centre has hosted many book launches by Jamaican and other Caribbean authors, and a range of activities celebrating black Canadian and Caribbean cultural events.

On June 2, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, minister for women and gender equality and youth, Marci Ien, and mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow, announced a joint investment of $14.12 million for the centre’s second-phase expansion.

“Thanks is wonderful, and it’s always good to say ‘thank you’ and to recognise amazing people doing amazing work, but it’s really good when that ‘thank you’ can come with material support to expand that work even further. The federal government is investing $7.84 million through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program and another $3.5 million through Canadian Heritage’s Canada Cultural Spaces Fund,” said Freeland.

She noted that the support will have a multiplier effect on the work that is being done there. “This is to help the Blackhurst Cultural Centre expand its role for today and for tomorrow, for generations to come.”

The deputy prime minister said the centre is a key cultural hub for all the people of Toronto showcasing the rich culture and history of Canadians of African and Caribbean descent.

By rebuilding a heritage structure currently owned by the City of Toronto, the Blackhurst Cultural Centre – a black-led non-profit organisation in Mirvish Village – will be able to expand its role as Toronto’s hub for black culture and history.

Upon completion, the expanded cultural centre will create new, enriched opportunities for more Torontonians to enjoy programming that highlights the history of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry through literature, music, drama, dance, and visual arts.

PERMANENT ADDRESS

Mirvish Village is etched in the memory of many black and Caribbean people living in Toronto who shopped at the erstwhile landmark discount store, Honest Ed’s, named after the owner, Ed Mirvish. It was established in 1948. Many bought items there to pack barrels to send home to family in the Caribbean. It was there that Raphaelita Walker, mother of Jamaican government minister Olivia Grange, would buy gifts many years ago to present to children at the annual Christmas event held at the Jamaican Canadian Association where she appeared as “Mrs. Claus,” and her husband, Gifford, as “Mr. Claus.”

“Today’s announcement of over $14 million for the Blackhurst Cultural Centre is a monumental step towards empowering black Canadian artists and preserving our rich cultural heritage. This funding will help black Canadian artists push creative boundaries and share their work. It will offer the community a place to gather, learn, and grow together – and it will ensure the stories, traditions, and contributions of black Canadians continue to inspire future generations. Black Canadian History is Canadian History,” said Minister Ien.

Ien said she was becoming a little emotional in the space after getting a tour of an exhibition because she was thinking of her parents. “As a daughter of two immigrant parents who emigrated from Trinidad and Tobago to Toronto in the ‘60s, I’m feeling all of this right now.” She said that she has seen firsthand “the powerful influence that culture, tradition, stories from black Canadians – those from the Caribbean and emigrated like my parents did – how they shaped not only the city, not only this community but the entire country.”

Mayor Chow referenced the depth of black history in the city and said having a place to be able to celebrate and create the new black culture and art is important.

Temporarily located at 777-779 Bathurst Street, Blackhurst Cultural Centre will move into its permanent address, 756 Bathurst Street, in 2026 for which the City of Toronto has provided a 49-year lease.

For Itah Sadu, managing director of the centre, Sunday was a momentous occasion. “Today is the day that the Blackhurst Cultural Centre continues to write its name on history’s page with expectations great and join the great movement of the black Canadian renaissance here in Canada.”

Alongside her husband and business partner, Miguel San Vicente, they have been the co-owners of A Different Booklist bookstore for 28 years; the bookstore will be on one of the three floors of the new centre.

Judy Brooks, chair of the board of directors, described it as a historic day for the centre. “Since 2015 we have been on this journey of self-determination and building infrastructure here in the city of Toronto and at Bathurst and Bloor,” she said.

Recently, Blackhurst Cultural Centre, in collaboration with Woodgreen Community Services, completed the process where black cultural creators could apply for its 12 affordable housing units – part of 48 homes in the new Mirvish Village allocated to non-profit agencies to address specific demographic needs.

“This initiative builds on the belief that ‘we are who we are, because of others’. BCC is proud to have been one of the visionaries of this framework,” said the Centre.