Exploring Blackhurst Cultural Centre (Article)

“Exploring Blackhurst Cultural Centre” provides students with information about an important community hub for members of the Black community in Toronto. This cultural centre was once a bookstore and has evolved into a vibrant community space. First known as A Different Booklist, the Blackhurst Cultural Centre is located in downtown Toronto, in a neighbourhood that celebrates “a rich African, Caribbean, and Black Canadian legacy.” The bookstore offers a range of free programming, including mentorship programs for Black youth. Store-run tours tell the history of the neighbourhood and amplify the contributions of Black community members. With big plans for future development, including an art gallery, tech hub, and scholar-in-residence program, the owners see the cultural centre as a place where young and old feel they “are at the centre and never at the margins.” As students read this text, they are asked to consider what a cultural hub is and how it serves a community. They then explore the idea of such a space in their own community.