LEGACY LIVES
A Different Booklist Cultural Centre (ADBCC) – The People’s Residence is a non-profit hub and destination that provides opportunities to experience the rich culture and history of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry. The Centre engages the public to learn about these proud stories using literature, music, drama, dance and visual arts.
COVID-19 Notice
Please note that our physical space at 777-779 Bathurst Street is currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, we are bring ADBCC to you through our online streaming and live event platforms. Check them out below!
The Toronto Freedom School on The People's Podcast
Incredible educators, Leroi Newbold and Simone Peters, stopped by the People’s Podcast to discuss their transformative approaches to education. The Toronto Freedom school was founded in the Black queer and trans community.
The Toronto Freedom School is a three week program designed to teach children about Black Canadian and diasporic history, to engage children in political resistance to anti-Black racism and state violence through a trans-feminist lens, and to offer children an entry point into the #BlackLivesMatter movement. #BlackLivesMatter Freedom School is designed to support children and families living and growing in a reality of witnessing police violence in our communities.
Missed tuning in to the Toronto Freedom School? Don’t Worry! Check out the recording of this event and others on The People’s Podcast.
Get Involved With ADBCC!
Bringing ADBCC to you
Author and educator, Fartumo Kusow stopped by The People’s Podcast to share stories of her immigration to Canada and discuss how COVID-19 has impacted Ramadan and Eid in her community.
Fartumo Kusow was born in Somalia and immigrated to Canada in 1991 at the start of the civil war. He first novel in English, Tale of a Boon’s Wife, was published in Canada by Second Story Press in October 2017. Her first novel, Amran, written in Somali, was serialized in October Star, Mogadishu: the Somali national newspaper in 1984. Since her arrival in Canada in 1991, and after learning English as a second language, she earned a BA (Hon) in English Language and Literature and B.Ed from the University of Windsor. A writer, a podcastor, and a public speaker, she now teaches English literature courses for the Greater Essex County District School Board and is working on her next novel. She is a mother of five adult children, and lives in Windsor, Ontario.
Missed tuning in to Fartumo? Don’t Worry! Check out the recording of this event and others on
Featured #ADBCCEvents
Connect with community from home. Register for one of our webinars or tune into our Facebook live sessions for our latest events!
There’s No Place Like This Place AnyPlace
Check out the 2020 Hotdocs selection, There’s No Place Like This Place Anyplace directed by Lulu Wei, which tells the story of the redevelopment of our neighbourhood, the Annex community at Bathurst and Bloor in Toronto.
Discover ADBCC
Masks On
Wearing a non-medical face mask is recommended by the Government of Canada and Canadian health officials to avoid spreading droplets between individuals and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Check out our mask-info page for more on how to wear and care for your mask or face covering.
We are bringing Afrocentric masks to you! Thanks to our wonderful member, Kathleen Barrow, you are now able to purchase Afrocentric masks from ADBCC. Adult and child sizes available.
The Board and staff of A Different Booklist Cultural Centre acknowledge the original caretakers and storytellers of this land – the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, the Métis, and the Wendat First Nations. We thank these mighty nations for allowing us to build our families, homes and dreams in this land. We pledge to walk hand in hand with them as we journey on the road to self-determination. Meegwetch.