About
A series of programs using the lens of Afrofuturism to explore and present arts, dialogue and well-being at Hart House.
What will the future bring for Black women, men and children? Who is responsible for Black Futures, shifting narratives, flipping experiences and crafting new realities? Hart House explores the idea of Afrofuturism as a way to blend the knowledge of the past with a re-imagining of the future. A showcase of intersectional arts and dialogue, this series aims to reflect the experiences of today's Black leaders and artists while providing a platform for real-world knowledge to help students be future ready, self-aware and empowered citizens as they move into their imagined realities.
Afrofuturism is the reimagining of a future filled with arts, science and technology seen through a black lens.
- Jamie Broadnax
- Zoe Dille
Manager, Dialogue & Expression
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) 416-978-5362
- Nadia Thompson (On leave)
Program Associate, Dialogue and Expression
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Alisha B. Wormsley, There Are Black People in the Future.
Manifest Destiny, Library Street Collective, Detroit, MI. Curated by Ingrid LaFleur. Image by Alessandra Ferrara.
July 2019-September 2019.
How to Get Involved
Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.
— bell hooks
Black Futures is a series of programming created to specifically reach Black-identifying students and community members. Engaging in various workshops, series and events, Black Futures aims to open dialogue and spaces for Black individuals to heal and thrive. Explore our various workshops, series and programs below for more information on upcoming events and how to get connected with Black Futures and our growing community.
Barbershop
Over the years I came to understand that barbershops were more than places to get a shape up, a shave, or trim. I learned that barbershops were the only spaces created in [American] life where black men can speak and receive feedback about who they are, who they want to be, and what they believe to be true and the world around them.
— Antonio “Tone” Johnson
Black Futures presents: Barbershop – bi-weekly hair services right on campus. Whether you need to refresh your fade, crisp up that line, or braid back your curls and coils, Barbershop has got you covered.
Join us at Hart House bi-weekly for our free drop-in barber services for Black identifying students. Hosted in the reimagined pop-up Edges Laid Lounge, The Barbershop is excited to feature weekly campus and community partners. From fresh trims and healthy tresses to fly beats, eats, and comfy seats, each week you’ll leave knowing that your hair (and self-care) game are on lock.
Full details coming soon.
Tastes of Culture
To really think about that relationship between Blackness and food, I feel like you have to look to the past and understand what food has always meant for us. It was always about having a little and making a lot. Taking the scraps and doing the damn thing with them. Food has been and always will be a tool for survival.
— Kia Damon
Black Futures has teamed up with the UTM International Education Centre to create the Taste of Cultures Food Series. With multiple sessions hosted at the UTM and St. George Campuses, students are invited to explore and expand their understanding of how food informs culture and wellness. Each session will be an interactive conversation, led by a food and culture expert who will share a recipe that is significant to their culture and personal history.
Discover the many ways food teaches us about culture and creates community, while learning a tasty recipe and skills to help you in the kitchen.
Full details coming soon.
Laugh, Cry, Cringe
Through conversations exploring current events and personal stories of lived experiences, Laugh, Cry, Cringe is a storytelling series dedicated to creating safer and braver spaces, while unmasking misconceptions about various groups, communities and people.
Laugh, Cry, Cringe aims to normalize conversations around anti-oppression in a respectful way, encouraging participants to share their perspectives and ideas, going beyond the surface level approach. Our hope through this initiative is to bridge current gaps between our diverse communities through dialogues of understanding and respect, and to create more inclusive and sustainable learning environments for students and the broader community.
Each session will include a different speaker, perspective and topic led by students, staff, faculty and/or community members. Explore our upcoming and previous Laugh, Cry, Cringe events below.
Full details coming soon.
Wealth-Building Sessions
Black Futures has partnered with Hart House, Dialogue and Expression and the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology at UTM to present a 5-week Wealth-Building program.
This program seeks to empower students from equity-seeking groups and the BIPOC community with the ability to navigate barriers and understand their personal finances within current socio-economic structures. The series will also give students the opportunity to ask questions and demand change for greater access and equal opportunity to financial literacy knowledge.
Dr. Radha Maharaj aka Dr. M. will be leading this exciting 5-part workshop series and sharing her considerable economic and financial literacy knowledge and life experience with students in an engaging and activity-based format.
Full details coming soon.
Upcoming Events
Previous Events
Keep the conversation going.
Thu, Mar 7, 2024Pacific Immigrants’ Stories – Undoing the Silence
Co-Presented by the EDIO Office at UTM & Hart House, broaden your knowledge and create space for dialogue around histories that may be different from your own.
- Wed, Feb 28, 2024
Annual Black History Month Luncheon
Join us as we celebrate an annual tradition over 2 decades long. Inspiring speakers, showcasing Black excellence and sharing stories, this annual event returns.
- Thu, Feb 8, 2024
The Journey: Black Leadership Navigating Institutional Spaces
Join the Anti Racism and Cultural Diversity Office and Hart House for a film screening of Steadfast and discussion centered on Black women in leadership.
- Fri, Feb 2, 2024
Rest Is Resistance – Black History Month
Join the Well Being Collective @ Hart House for additional spaces of rest during Black History Month. Rest is resistance.
- Mon, Jan 29, 2024
Barbershop 2024
Black Futures Barbershop. Afro-textured hair services at Hart House.
- Wed, Jan 17, 2024
Black Self-Care Fair
Join us for a day of creating, pampering, learning and connecting – all free of charge.
- Mon, Jan 15, 2024
The Wealth Building Series
Empowering students from equity-seeking groups and the BIPOC community with the ability to navigate barriers and understand their personal finances.
- Mon, Nov 27, 2023
Steadfast Film Screening & Panel Discussion
Join us for a screening of "Steadfast - The Messenger and the Message" alongside the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine!
- Mon, Nov 13, 2023
Tastes of Culture
How does food teach us about culture, community and wellness? And how does it shape our relationship with the food that sustains us?
- Sat, Sep 30, 2023
The Route to Canada
A live presentation of the art form of step, spoken work and song highlighting the resilience, creativity, influence of our ancestors in the African Diaspora.
- Fri, Sep 29, 2023
Stepping Workshop with Montreal Steppers
Performance group the Montreal Steppers are hosting a stepping workshop. Register now!
- Thu, Mar 9, 2023
'Subjects of Desire' Film Screening
A screening of Subjects of Desire, a film that explores the cultural shift in North American beauty standards towards embracing Black female aesthetics.
- Wed, Mar 8, 2023
Women in Hip-Hop: Refusal, Resistance, and Interruption
This curated conversation uncovers the historical and continuing contributions of women in Hip-Hop. Presented for International Women's Day.
- Tue, Mar 7, 2023
Let's Talk Careers in Entrepreneurship
Let's Talk Careers in Entrepreneurship offers African Black Caribbean students access to Black professionals, industry knowledge, and pathways to careers.
- Tue, Feb 28, 2023
Nation Building through Poetry
What happens when you bring together 3 Poets Laureate, from across Canada past and present ? The conversation is sure to get lively!
- Tue, Feb 28, 2023
Black Self-Care Fair
The Black Self-Care Fair will bring together resources to help promote and encourage self-care for Black students.
- Fri, Feb 24, 2023
21st Annual Black History Month Luncheon
Join us as we celebrate an annual tradition over 2 decades long. Inspiring speakers, showcasing Black excellence and sharing stories, this annual event returns.
- Thu, Feb 23, 2023
Stories of the Diaspora: How Access to Education Enhances Gender Equity
A NIDO fundraising event that seeks to raise funds and awareness for building schools, education, and other NIDO initiatives.
- Fri, Feb 17, 2023
Hip Hop Family Skate
Lace up and get down! Hart House Hip Hop Education is back with another Hip Hop Family Skate Day featuring figure skating and a DJ!
- Fri, Jan 27, 2023
Lyricist's Lounge
In partnership with Toronto2.0, these low-key sessions are intended for anyone interested in exploring the craft and the art of writing better lyrics.
- Tue, Jan 24, 2023
Laugh, Cry, Cringe: Tips for Travelling as People of Colour
We are excited to host our next storytelling series; Laugh, Cry, Cringe with Lotoya Jackson, World Traveller, Storyteller and E-Learning Developer.
- Mon, Jan 23, 2023
The Wealth Building Sessions
This 5 week program bridges the world of finance and hip-hop and seeks to empower BIPOC students.
- Wed, Jan 18, 2023
Soft Cooking
This class is for anyone interested in exploring a new cuisine. Aisha Lesley Bentham will be leading participants through new techniques and meals.
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Blog
Black Futures Launches Exceptional Programming for 2022
This year, the visionary series explores the idea of Afrofuturism as a way to blend the knowledge of the past with a re-imagining of the future.
