‘Book Affair’ features conversations and a parade

By Neil Armstrong

Over three days in October, Blackhurst Cultural Centre will host its annual Black and Caribbean Book Affair featuring book launches, authors, conversations, and a parade.

Under the theme, “Seeing Ourselves – The Next Chapter,” the event from October 15 to 17 kicks off with educator, Dr. Carl James, launching the fifth edition of his book, “Seeing Ourselves: Exploring Race, Ethnicity & Culture,” with a panel on October 15, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at 777 Bathurst Street in Toronto.

The book examines the meanings of ethnicity, race, and culture, exploring how these concepts are understood by individuals and embedded within Canadian society. It has been updated to address major social and political developments since its first publication in 1989.

There will be sessions programmed for Toronto District School Board students on the morning and afternoon of October 16.

In the evening, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., veteran certified travel advisor, Ramie Veerappan, will launch her memoir, “Ramie’s Dance of Resilience: Apartheid and Beyond,” written by Romila Logarah-Jeevithan. She will be in conversation with storyteller and her longtime friend, Sandra Whiting.

“Travel alongside Ramie Veerappan on a journey across nine decades of courage, resilience, and transformation. Born into a world defined by inequality and segregation, Ramie endured the harsh realities of South Africa’s apartheid regime and the constraints of a patriarchal society. Facing discrimination, betrayal, and countless obstacles, she refused to let her circumstances define her,” notes a synopsis.

Spanning three continents, her story traces a lifetime of bold choices, personal sacrifice, and unwavering determination in her fight to survive and build a life of hope, purpose, and belonging, it said.
On the closing day, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Gelien Matthews, author of “Calypso Rose,” part of the Caribbean Biography Series published by The University of the West Indies Press, will discuss her book with seasoned theatre practitioner, Rhoma Spencer, on Zoom.

Matthews is head of the History Department at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus and a specialist in Caribbean, American and gender history.

“Calypso Rose” tells the riveting story of Linda McCartha Monica Sandy-Lewis, the trailblazing Trinidadian Queen of Calypso whose voice redefined Caribbean music. This book captures the unstoppable rise of a woman who broke through the male-dominated calypso world to claim titles once reserved only for men, including Calypso Monarch and Road March Champion.

A Parade of Children’s Books will take place from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. featuring Heather Beaumont, author of “When We Go Home”; Delano Brown, writer of “My Neighborhood,” and host, Yolanda Marshall, whose new book is “Sweet Sorrel Stand.”

The event wraps up with the launch of Didier Leclair’s novel, “The African Prince, the Translator, and the Nazi” from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. He will be in conversation with educator Canute Lawrence.

Described as a fast-moving historical thriller set in Paris during World War II when the city was under German control, it involves an African prince, his translator, and their dealings with the Nazi occupiers, particularly one Gestapo officer.

The Black and Caribbean Book Affair is a free event.