For the love of literature; Toronto Urban Book Expo

BY JONELL PANTLITZ

“We do it for the love of literature and the celebration and encouragement of literacy.” Robinson

Toronto Urban Book Expo (TUBE) returned to the city in the spring of 2020.

This literary event began in 2014 in association with the Toronto Public Library, and has since hosted nearly 100 independent and published writers, community organizations, and provided the opportunity for local book lovers to purchase original literature, as well as meet with a range of authors from Toronto and across the U.S.

Toronto Urban Book Expo has posted a modified version of their Writers’ Retreat and Conference highlighting writers scheduled to present at the event. The expectation is for their voices (and books) to be used as tools for enlightenment and inspiration.

Some of the authors who participated in the event are:

• Angela Walcott (Toronto, Canada) – “Reflections”
• Angelot Ndongmo (Toronto, Canada) – “Nurturing our Black Children Through Literature”
• A. Bourne (Toronto, Canada) – “Growing Up Black in Canada: “Silence is not a Stance” 
• DJ Majesty (Toronto, Ontario) – “All Toronto Hip Hop Tribute Mix” 
• Isabel Hunt (Toronto, Canada) – “What does it mean to be Black and have a mental illness?”
• Jameel Davis (Cleveland, USA) – “Greetings from the Toronto Urban Book Expo Board of Directors”
• Jeffrey Cheatham II (Seattle, USA) – “Greetings from Seattle”
• Kamilah Haywood (Toronto, Canada) – “The Crumbling of a System” 
• Osagyefo McGregor of Kareative Interlude (Toronto, Canada) “The Power of the Press: Aligned for Success” 
• Mutendei Nabtete (Nairobi, Kenya) – “The Role of the Writers of Africa & African Descent” ​
• Stacey Marie Robinson (Toronto, Canada) – “Notability: Bringing Black Books to Durham Region”
• Wilmont ST. CYR (Spooner’s Hill, Barbados) – “Greetings from Barbados​”

All their virtual presentations are on http://www.kyapublishing.com/tube2020.html

According to founder Stacey Marie Robinson. “We are writers, but we also happen to live in the city. We got stories to tell and other things we are interested in. It’s a different vibe. It’s not like a library vibe, not like a school vibe. This is an urban-like a city vibe. There’s going to be music playing. There’s going to be food cooking. It’s going to have that city feel, but you will be able also to learn something and buy some books and talk to some great authors.”

Jameel Davis Board of Directors also spoke, “Local writers have an opportunity to express themselves, their art, and their creative work because you never know when a reader is going to walk into this event, pick up your book, and what power they have for getting your book out there to other readers.” 

The inspiration behind creating a platform such as TUBE arose when Stacey Marie Robinson had taken trips to Huston, Texas, to understand how independent authors were selling their books. She discovered in 2010, that Texas had a National Black Book Festival, which was one of the biggest in the country. From there, she knew there needed to be something similar in Toronto.

“For me to be a part of the event was another wonderful year for us being able to give back. Authors, particularly black Canadian authors in Toronto, don’t necessarily have a platform, so I love that Stacey when ahead and created TUBE, which is a wonderful platform that allows our voices and our stories out there.”  said Angelot Ndongmo (Board of Directors).

There is also a new book coming out for all of our book lovers, “Completely Naked,” by Jameel Davis. The book will be ready for purchase by next year. It’s said to be a compelling and powerful book, especially since Jameel’s inspiration for his books comes from his own experiences. He mentioned that,

“Being a black man in America provokes my thoughts for writing. TUBE is highly essential for new writers are well as current writers because people are always looking to read new work. You never know who will be inspired by your story.”

More information about authors and TUBE can be found on Kya Publishing’s Blog.