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About Us

Preserving Legacy, Inspiring Our Future

Blackhurst Cultural Centre – Where History and Culture Unite to Celebrate the Legacy of Canadians of African and Caribbean Ancestry.

Legacy Lives Here

Blackhurst Cultural Centre (BCC) – The People’s Residence – is more than just a hub; it’s a vibrant cultural destination. Nestled in Toronto’s historic Bathurst-Bloor neighbourhood, BCC serves as a beacon for the stories, achievements, and cultural heritage of Canadians of African and Caribbean descent. Our doors are open to all, inviting you to explore, experience, and be inspired by the rich tapestry of history that lives within our community. Through literature, music, drama, dance, and visual arts, we bring these stories to life, offering a space where the past meets the present, and where every visitor becomes a part of the ongoing legacy.
Legacy Lives Here!

Our Mission

To provide opportunities for Canadians and visitors to Canada to celebrate and engage in the rich cultural legacy and history of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry.

Our Vision

A world-class model in preserving a neighbourhood and a people’s history to ensure the rich legacy of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry.

Our Values

Accessibility

We are committed to practicing integrity and promoting activities that are inclusive, diverse and accessible to all. Our approach to operations and programming is grounded in intergenerational sharing and accessibility.

Self-Determination

We inspire creativity, confidence, and courage in individuals from all backgrounds, empowering them to transform their passions into meaningful action and impactful change.

Continuity & Sustainability

We are committed to best practices in program delivery and community engagement, ensuring our work brings people together in innovative and sustainable ways.

Board Members

Veronica Sullivan

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Diana Webley

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Aina-Nia Ayo'dele

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Dwayne Morgan

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Antoni Shelton

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Ivor Picor

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John Braithwaite

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Veronica Sullivan

Veronica Sullivan, an educator for over 40 years, has dedicated her career to Africentric education, volunteering with the African Canadian Heritage Association and leading Black history programs across Toronto. As one of the inaugural teachers at the Africentric Alternative School, she empowered students with knowledge of their African heritage. Sullivan co-founded Carib-Can Publishers, created educational resources, and developed Africentric products under her brand, The ‘V’ Expression. Her contributions have earned her numerous awards, including the Harry Jerome Award for Community Service and the Kuumba Award for Educational Change Makers.

Diana Webley

Diana Webley, manager of Cultural Engagement at Harbourfront Centre, brings over 20 years of arts and culture experience to her role, balancing event production, mentorship, and teaching. From organizing major cultural festivals to representing Canadian arts abroad, she blends real-world expertise with her teaching at Centennial College’s Arts Management program. Webley’s dedication to inspiring future arts professionals drives her work, ensuring students gain practical skills, industry insights, and confidence to shape their careers. Passionate about the transformative power of the arts, she believes fostering new talent is essential to sustaining Toronto’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Aina-Nia Ayo'dele

Aina-Nia Ayo’dele, CEO of Aina-Nia Learning Journey Inc., is a leadership coach, author, and spiritual liberation activist dedicated to fostering equity, inclusion, and meaningful change through decolonized leadership practices. Known for blending spiritual wisdom with corporate expertise, she has inspired audiences worldwide and consulted on institutional culture change, gender and racial equity, and African Indigenous practices. Aina-Nia was instrumental in establishing North America’s first government-sanctioned strategy to address anti-Black racism and led critical initiatives like the Toronto Action Plan and the Black Scientists’ Taskforce for Vaccine Equity. Honored with multiple awards, including a Lifetime Advocacy Award, Aina-Nia continues to empower leaders through her Sacred Leaders Training™ process and her book SELF: An Inner Journey to Re-Membering Your Power.

Dwayne Morgan

Dwayne Morgan, a 2023 appointee of the Order of Ontario and two-time Canadian National Poetry Slam Champion, has been a leading voice in spoken word since 1993. Founder of Up From The Roots Entertainment, he has earned numerous accolades, including the Toronto Arts Foundation’s Celebration of Cultural Life Award and induction into the Scarborough Walk of Fame. Morgan has performed for global leaders, shared stages with top artists, and published fourteen books, including children’s literature and an inspirational memoir. His creative ventures span film, television, theatre, and music, solidifying his impact on Canada’s artistic and cultural landscape.

Antonio Shelton

Antoni Shelton is the Senior Human Rights Resolution Officer and Investigator at Toronto Metropolitan University, with extensive experience in mediation, conflict resolution, and human rights investigations. He has worked with prominent organizations like the Ontario Federation of Labour, CUPE, and the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, where he led a litigation team focused on racial equality cases. Antoni’s contributions have influenced justice reform in Ontario and Canada, including work at coroner inquests, the Ontario Divisional Court, and the Supreme Court of Canada. A dedicated educator, award recipient, and published writer, Antoni holds degrees from the University of Waterloo and Carleton University, along with a Master’s in conflict resolution from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs.

Ivor Picou

For many years, Ivor has worked with different community arts and education organizations. Some of these included the Black Education Project, Jane Finch Community Organization (JFCCO), St Vincent and Grenadines Association and most recently For Youth Initiative (FYI). He co-created the West Indian Performing Group/Yorktones (WIPG), and worked with arts groups like Theatre Fountainhead, Up on Eglinton, Theatre in The Rough, We Are One Theatre, Caribana Cultural Committee, Trinbyrds Steel Orchestra and Pan Fantasy Steelband. He recently did two tours to Carifesta with the Caribbean Canadian Arts Network. Ivor has a Bachelor in Fine Arts from York University and a Bachelor of Education from University of Toronto. He was a teacher with TDSB and in his retirement continues his support of community development.

John Braithwaite

John Brathwaite is a seasoned financial and risk management expert with extensive experience advising senior executives at Canada’s top banks. He later served as VP & Controller at an investment bank and co-founded 3rd Sector Network Inc., providing solutions for the non-profit sector. Originally from Grenada, John holds an MBA in Multinational Finance and International Business. His expertise blends technical knowledge with a keen understanding of leadership and strategy in complex environments.