BY PAUL JUNOR
The renaming of A Different Booklist Cultural Centre to the Blackhurst Cultural Centre (BCC) shows the evolution of this bookstore.
Co-owner, Itah Sadu, and board members Loris Thomas and Ivor Picou made the announcement where updates were provided with respect to the development of the permanent home for the Culture Centre in the new Mirvish Development.
Details that were revealed at the press conference indicated that the Centre entered into a historic 49-year lease with the City of Toronto. It was reported on its ADBCC’s Facebook page that, “The lease not only acknowledges our place in the historic Mirvish Village as we prepare to move into our new location at 756 Bathurst, but it also underscores the permanence of our place in the city as we continue to elevate; our accomplishments, stories, and work of our people using arts and culture as a tool/mechanism/conduit to teach, educate, enhance skills and celebrate our rich African and Caribbean heritage within the fabric of our community.”
The City of Toronto authorized the 49-year lease in December 2020. It was necessary that rezoning was done with Westbank Corporation, which bought Mirvish Village in 2013. It was in 2007, that Itah Sadu and her husband, Miguel Sana Vicente took over ownership of A Different Booklist from renowned scholar, Dr. Wesley Crichlow. In May 2017, it moved to 777-779 Bathurst St and as a result of a partnership with Schulich School of Business, it was enlarged to include community activities. A youth arts program and a business e-course were offered in conjunction with Schulich.
The new name “Blackhurst” was coined by Itah and she writes on the ADBCC’s Facebook page, “When you come into the People’s space, a place where you can stamp your legacy, it is in the tradition of storytelling and in storytelling the greatest component is call and response, and so when the society makes a call, Blackhurst Cultural Centre – the People’s Residence is always willing and ready to make a response, and thus the new name that reflects this progression.”
Councillor Mike Layton of Ward 11 states, “I love the name, Blackhurst. The land is home to diverse people from around the world. Some families didn’t come by choice, they came by force. This isn’t a centre you can put just anywhere in Toronto. Acknowledging it in the name is a direct connection between this spot and the stories. It grounds it and puts it in the earth.”
Dr.Zanana Akande states, “The name Blackhurst is fabulous! It reminds me of everything we stood for when I was growing up and are still standing for today.”
At the press conference, it was announced that over $3.3 million of the total of $10 million is required for the new building. Dr. Zanana Akande, Drs. Michael and Edith Lorimer made significant contributions to the capital campaign.
Donations are welcome at: https://www.adcc.org/buyabrick
Anyone interested in learning about the BCC can check their social media handles:
Website: A Different Booklist Cultural Centre
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