Now, to mark their first anniversary, the group hopes the community will rally and reflect, as well as read.
Beginning Friday, June 25, at 4 p.m. in downtown’s Memorial Park, Black Lives Matter Sudbury invites community members of all ages and demographics to join them for what they refer to as a chance to “rally, remember and reflect on all the work we’ve done to push forward anti-racism in our city and to nurture a community commitment to ending violence against Black and Indigenous lives everywhere.”
Following the rally there will be performances by local artists and refreshments for attendees. COVID-19 guidelines will be enforced, so participants are required to wear a mask and be aware of social distancing.
To celebrate Black History Month, Sudbury.com featured a mini documentary of the goals and achievements of Black Lives Sudbury over the last year. You can find it here.
Black Lives Matter Sudbury also hopes the community will read from the diverse work of both local and national authors of colour. Starting in June, but continuing throughout the summer, is Black Lives Matter Sudbury Reads, a celebration of the work of Black Canadian authors.
There will be four virtual events held to not only honour the work of authors that don’t always achieve mainstream success, but to encourage Sudburians to read more, to read stories, poems and viewpoints they may not already be reading.
On June 26, there will be a reading at 12 p.m. for children ages five to eight, and at 3 p.m. for children ages nine to 14 of the book Trailblazers: The Black Pioneers Who Have Shaped Canada by Tiyahna Ridley-Padmore.
On July 22 at 7 p.m. there will be readings of poetry and short stories from The Great Black North: Contemporary African Canadian Poetry and other works.
In August, there will be a celebration of poetry and short stories from local authors, as well as discussions around writing and literature. This will also be virtual and held on Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.
And get your copy of Jael Richardson’s acclaimed new book Gutter Child, read along with others as a part of Black Lives Matter Sudbury Reads Novel Club, and then, on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m., you can join virtually for a discussion of the book at a special session with the author herself.
In a statement to Sudbury.com, Black Lives Matter Sudbury said the inspiration for the Reads event came from a desire to “showcase often erased and ignored Black Canadian literature.”
They feel that there is too often an American contest when discussing Black Writers, and they hope to change that here in Sudbury.
“The intention is to get community members of all ages excited about Black Canadian literature, both old and new, and encourage them to continue reading and uncovering new Black authors within our country.”
To register for the events, click here. If you would like to participate as an author, you can fill out the registration form.
As well, if you would like more information or need assistance in accessing a copy of the book for the Novel Club, Black Lives Matter Sudbury asks that you contact them through their website.
