Dr. D’bi.young anitafrika is a featured griot at the 1st annual Canadian Black Literary Festival in Ajax, Ontario, North Turtle Island. This also marks the launch event of Dr. anitafrika’s Dub Nomad Tour 2026, covering North America, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.
7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Main Event Showcase
St. Francis Centre for Community, Arts & Culture • $25 early bird // $35 regular
The festival culminates with its main event showcase, featuring four of Canada’s most-recognized and accomplished Black writers at the national and international levels. Each has shown the nation, in their own ways throughout their careers, what Voices of Freedom look like in the Canadian context.
Hosted by Antonio Michael Downing, an award-winning author, musician, and speaker. Last year, he became the permanent host for CBC Radio’s national literary program The Next Chapter. Performing musically as John Orpheus, he blends Afro-Caribbean rhythms, soul, and narrative expression. Born in Trinidad and based in Canada, Antonio uses creativity as a bridge between culture, resilience, and personal growth.
Featuring Afua Cooper, Testament and d’bi.young anitafrika:
Dr. Afua Cooper is a celebrated poet, spoken word icon, author, scholar, and historian. Her many books range across several genres: poetry, history, fiction, and children’s literature. She served as Poet Laureate of Halifax Regional Municipality in 2018-2020. She is a founder of the Canadian dub poetry movement and the recipient of numerous prizes and awards. In February 2025, Afua was inducted into the Order of Nova Scotia.
Mississauga, Ontario native Matthew-Ray Jones, also known as Testament, has been using his natural speaking abilities to inspire audiences for over 20 years. He has recorded three albums and shared the stage with several high-profile hip-hop artists. He co-founded an artist collective called P.E.A.C.E. (People Everywhere Actually Co-existing Equally). In November 2024, Testament was appointed as the Province of Ontario’s second Poet Laureate.
dr. d’bi.young anitafrika is an internationally celebrated dub poet, biomythicist, theatre-maker, and liberatory pedagogue whose work spans performance, scholarship, and arts leadership across four continents. Recipient of multiple prestigious arts and culture awards, include three Dora Awards, they continue to shape contemporary theatre and performance training through their pioneering Anitafrika Dub Praxis.