Afua Cooper

cmast film and literary festival

2009-10-12T08:10:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE: Thursday, October 01, 2009

CMAST PAN-AFRICAN LITERARY & FILM FESTIVAL
Friday, October 30, 2009 – Sunday, November 01, 2009.
For Immediate Press Release
Toronto, ON | Thursday, October 01, 2009 –
The committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the Abolition of the Slave Trades proudly presents the CMAST Pan-African Film & Literary Festival. This event takes place from 30 Oct. to 1 Nov. 2009 at the William Doo Auditorium, University of Toronto, 45 Willcocks Street at Spadina. This anticipated 3-day event will feature literary readings, book presentations, and performances by new, emerging, and established authors from Canada, the Caribbean, Continental Africa, and their respective Diasporas, plus exclusive film screenings.
Some confirmed writers and artists: Beverley Anderson Manley, David Austin, Afua Cooper, Carol Duncan (This Spot of Ground: Spiritual Baptists in Toronto), Melanie Newton(The Children of Africa in The Colonies), Award-winning artists such as Kamau Preito Mctair, Waleed Abdulhamid, Keisha-Monique, Heyab Muleneh, Nouvel Exposé, Um’Khondé, Peculiar-I, and L.E.V.I.A.T.H.A.N.
Special features of the Festival include the launch of two historical novels by by Dr. Afua Cooper. These books, My Name is Phillis Wheatley: A Story of Slavery and Freedom and My Name is Henry Bibb: A Story of Slavery and Freedom, are published by Kids Can Press, 2009. The launch takes place at 8p.m. on Friday, 30 Oct. 12, 09 Award-winning poet Ian Kamau and Um’Khondé and Keisha Monique will open the event with exciting poetry performances.
The Festival will culminate on Sunday, 1 Nov. at 6p.m. with a reading and presentation by Dr. Beverley Anderson Manley, author, gender specialist, international social activist, and former First Lady of Jamaica, from her book The Manley Memoirs.
Films
Frantz Fanon: His Life, His Struggle, His Work; Breakin’ In; ThomasSankara: On Burkina Faso and The Revolution; Generation Sacriifiée...Memoire Oubliée; Brother Future; and Traces of The Trade.
CMAST is a community-based coalition formed with the specific objective of raising public awareness about and promote education on the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the British and United States Trans-Atlantic Slave Trades. Headed by Dr. Afua Cooper (historian, author, and poet), to date, the CMAST team has planned and organized commemorative events and educational outreach activities including lectures, conferences, cultural events, exhibits, symposia, panel discussions, publications (text-based and on-line) outreach to schools, and teach-ins.
Sponsors for the CMAST Pan-African Literary & Film Festival include the City of Toronto: Access, Equity & Human Rights | Toronto Arts Council | Jamaica National Building Society (Toronto), APUS | Kids Can Press | Big It Up International | New College (Office of Residence and Student Life), University of Toronto, | Alfie Roberts Institute |
For further update and more specific schedules, see below.
Contact: Festival Co-ordinator Eve Labi at special.events.by.eve@gmail.com
Or 647- 444-3353
www.cmast.info
www.afuacooper.com/updates
(blog)

2009-03-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

I am now in southern British Columbia. It is really different here from the East (Ontario/Toronto). The weather is milder, January was warm, though it tends to rain a lot. But I prefer that over the snow we battle every winter in the East. My university (SFU) is on its own mountain and the view of the surrounding hills and valleys is spectacular. The school year (08-09) is winding down. I cannot believe it went by so fast. Now I must gear up for the summer and prioritize my various commitments. Continuing with my French studies is one of them; likewise, further research on the abolitionist movement. I have two new books coming out in Sept. o9, and these are published my Kidscan Press. The books are The Young Phillis Wheatley and the Young Henry Bibb. These are historical novels for the young adult audience and they tell the (fictionalized) story of both Wheatley and Bibb as children. It was wonderful writing these books. Let me add they are based on historical facts, more or less. This is my first published foray into fiction so it was quite interesting writing them (wearing both my scholarly and creative writing hats). You may order these books from Kidscan. Just go to their website to do so.

Also, I have a new exhibit which is part of my Ruth Wynn Woodward Chair's initiative. This exhibit is called Black Communities in British Columbia, 1858-2008 and it commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Black presence in BC. Really, it is about teaching Black history with photographs as I have used some really neat photos of 19th century African Canadians in various contexts. I have also used visual images of modern Black people. Go and see this exhibit. It is at the Teck Gallery at the Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver. The exhibit is up until 10 May 2009. Talk to you soon. A bientot.

2009-02-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

Commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the United States Transatlantic Slave Trade: Legacy of Black Enslavement and Its Consequences

2008-03-20T20:03:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Press Release

In Commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade to the United States (1808-2008) the Committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the Abolition of the Slave Trades (CMAST) presents a public forum on: The Legacy of Black Enslavement and Its Consequences.

Lecturers include distinguished American historians Drs. Colin A. Palmer (Princeton University) and Kate Clifford Larson (Simmons College, MA).
Dr. Afua Cooper (CMAST Founder) will give opening remarks and Dr. Caldwell Taylor (Attorney-at-Law) will make commentary.

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 26, 2008; 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Place: Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (University of Toronto)
252 Bloor West, Toronto M5S 1V6 (St. George Subway)
Admission: $10.00

Following the discussion, there will be a book signing by the presenters.

***
Colin A. Palmer is the Dodge Professor of History at Princeton University and author of Human Cargoes: The British Slave Trade to Spanish America and Eric Williams and the Making of the Modern Caribbean.

Kate Clifford Larson is a professor of history at Simmons College and author of Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero.

Afua Cooper is a poet, historian and an award winning author of many publications including The Hanging of Angelique: The Untold Story of Canadian Slavery and the Burning of Old Montreal and co-author of The Underground Railroad: Next Stop, Toronto!

Caldwell Taylor is an attorney-at-law, and a former Grenadan ambassador to the United Nations.

Abolition of Slave Trade Event

2007-03-23T07:08:00.000-07:00

2007 marks the Bicentenary of the Abolition of British trafficking in enslaved Africans. The Committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the Abolition of the Slave Trades--CMAST-- presents Dr. Ray Winbush in a keynote lecture on the slave trade, slave, and Abolition. Winbush, professor of Urban Affairs at Morgan State University, is the editor of Should America Pay? Race and the Raging Debate on Reparations. Dr. Afua Cooper will also give a presentation on slavery in Canada.
Place: William Doo Lecture Hall, New College, University of Toronto. North of Harbord on the east side of Spadina.
Time: Sunday, 25 March 2007 at 6p.m.
Cost: $10.00
Contact 905-683-3227 or www.cmast.ca

Commerating the Abolition of the British Trade in Enslaved Africans

2007-02-01T04:46:00.000-08:00

Mayor David Miller,
Toronto City Council
and the
Committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the
Abolition of the Slave Trade (CMAST)

cordially invite you to attend a
Black History Month celebration
to launch the commemoration of

the 200h Anniversary of the Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade

Sunday, February 11, 2007
2 p.m.

Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
Rotunda

Please respond to 416-392-7667 or E-mail
TTY 416-338-0889

The United Nations (UN) has designated March 25 as the International Day for the Commemoration of the Abolition of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade to mark the 1807 decision by the British Parliament. The UN has urged governments to carry out education programs to create an understanding of the consequences of slavery and the slave trade. In 1793 Governor Simcoe introduced the first anti-slavery Act in the British Empire making Toronto an important link in the Underground Railroad.

The Committee to Commemorate and Memorialize the Abolition of the Slave Trade (CMAST) in Toronto was established to carry out a program to commemorate the bicentennial of the abolition of the British and American Trans-Atlantic slave trade.

Commemorating the Abolition of the British Slave Trade

2007-02-01T04:37:00.000-08:00

Fall/Winter Tour

2006-09-28T10:34:00.000-07:00

Afua Cooper continues her books tour for the Fall/Winter season 2006.

She reads at the Ottawa International Writers Festival on 1 Oct. 2006 at the National Library. At 4pm. she gives a reading from The Hanging of Angelique and at 8 she is part of the poetry cabaret where she reads from Copper Woman.
See www.writersfest.com for more info.

Between 10-15 Oct. Afua will give various readings and performances in Calgary and Banff, Alberta as part of the Wordfest. Calgary/Banff International Writers Festival. see www.wordfest.com for more info.

17 Oct. Afua reads and performs at University of Victoria, BC. This event is hosted by the history dept. and women’s studies.

18 Oct. Afua presents for the women’s studies dept. at Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Campus in Vancouver.

19 Oct. Afua reads as the guest of the creative writing program at Simon Fraser’s downtown campus.

30 Oct. – 1 Nov. Afua will be the guest of English Studies at the New University of Lisbon, Portugal.

Please come out to see her.

University of the West Indies launches Afua Cooper's books

2006-08-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Afua

The Institute of Caribbean Studies in association with The Department of Literatures in English, University of the West Indies, Mona, invites you to the launch of two books by the distinguished Jamaican poet and historian Dr. Afua Cooper, who lectures at the University of Toronto. Copper Woman and Other Poems & The Hanging of Angelique: The Untold Story of Canadian Slavery and the burning of Old Montreal on Thursday, August 24, 2006, at 6:00p.m. The Undercroft of the Senate Building UWI, Mona For further information please contact the Institute of Caribbean Studies telephone: 977-1951, 512-3228 or e-mail: icsmona@uwimona.edu.jm]

MC for International Aids Concert

2006-08-12T14:29:00.000-07:00

MC: Afua Cooper, Renowned Poet and Performer

THOMAS MAPFUMO & THE BLACKS UNLIMITED PERFORM AT HARBOURFRONT CENTRE CONCERT STAGE AUGUST 14TH –FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC

On Monday August 14th 2006, the XVI International AIDS Conference and Habourfront Centre will be hosting a free (no tickets required!) music concert at Harbourfront Centre’s Concert Stage beginning at 7:30 pm. The Strength of Africa music concert will blend modern & traditional African rhythms, patterns and melodies; from a'cappella to 'sinewy Malagasy guitar' to chimurenga (the Shona word for struggle). Diverse local talents of Soul Influence, Donné Roberts come together with the internationally renowned "Lion of Zimbabwe", Thomas Mapfumo and his band, the Blacks Unlimited, create a compelling music program aimed at connecting with audiences and promoting awareness on HIV/AIDS.

Opening The Strength of Africa concert starting at 7:30 pm will be Soul Influence, a young and talented a'cappella group comprised of seven young people from at least 4 African countries, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Soul Influence will be singing richly layered vocal harmonies, combining the intricate beat and rhythm of the motherland with the sounds and sentiments of sacred music.

Donné Roberts will continue the musical experience with his fusion of traditional African with contemporary influences of funk, rock and blues. In 1997, he produced Mama Africa, one of the largest and most unique African festivals to grace Russian culture. And, in 1998 he became the first black person to host a show on MTV Russia.

The concert will then feature Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited at 9:30 pm whose live shows are known to transfix their audience, taking them to his plane of musical spiritual possession. Responsible for blending traditional Shona mbira music with western instruments, Thomas Mapfumo’s lyrics tackle the injustices of apartheid, racism and colonialism. He established the musical style, chimurenga (the Shona word for struggle). He has become a national Zimbabwean hero by singing these songs to the Zimbabwean people about their culture and the challenges they face. Mapfumo has dedicated himself to raising awareness by singing about HIV/AIDS. He was the first Zimbabwean musician to sing and dedicate songs to a cause most people were afraid to address.

This event is free to the public and to the conference delegates alike, come join us in the Strength of Africa music concert where the audience will dance until the lights come on and go home smiling.

From 13-18 August, 2006, Canada will welcome the world to Toronto for the world’s largest International AIDS Conference. The AIDS 2006 Cultural Activities Programme (CAP), which has been named Viral Culture is using cultural forms of communication to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS issues. It is a host to a variety of events including this music concert throughout the week including; visual arts, literature, film and video, performance art and other innovative mediums of expression. For more information about cultural events and activities taking place during AIDS 2006 go http://www.aids2006.org/culturalprog/.

Set The Captive Free: Emancipation Day 2006

2006-08-04T12:56:00.000-07:00

Join me on Monday, 7 August 2006 from 10-4 as I celebrate Emancipation Day at the Uncle Tom Cabin's Museum in Dresden Ontario (Dresden is 40 minutes west of London on the 401). I will be giving a lecture on Canadian Black woman freedom fighter Marie Joseph Angelique. I will be reading excerpts from my book The Hanging of Angelique: Canada, Slavery, and the Burning of Old Montreal (HarperCollins 2006). Check out the Uncle Tom's Cabin Museum website.

Yes, 1 August is Emancipation Day. It has been celebrated in Canada since 1834 when Britain freed closed to one million enslaved Africans in its overseas colonies, including Canada. It's been called 'West Indian' Emancipation Day because the majority of the enslaved were in the Caribbean colonies. On a day like this, or rather, in Canada, this 4-7 August period will be marked by Emancipation Day Celebration all over Toronto and Canada. In Toronto, events go on at Metro Hall on 4 Aug. City Hall on 5 Aug., and at several Afrocentric venues such as the Ashanti Room. Events are also taking place in Owen Sound, Windsor, Dresden, Ontario.

During this period we remember the dreadful time of the slave trade and enslavement and all that we lost. But we also remember our resilience, strength, courage and the love we bore for each other, and freedom. We remember the people who sacrificed their lives so we could live. Heroes such as Tacky, Paul Bogle, Nanny, Cudjoe, Accompong, Henry Bibb, Queen Abena/Cuba, Queen Anacaona, Celia, Marie-Joseph Angelique, my ancestress Alison Parkinson, and the countless unnamed women and men.

Today we also remember the numerous brothers and sisters who are still in chains. SET THE CAPTIVE FREE!!!

2006-07-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

Afua Cooper book launches and upcoming readings

24 August 2006: University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica
23 Sept. 2006: Word on the Street, Toronto
12-17 Oct. 2006: Calgary-Banff, Canada, Literary Festival
18-19 Oct. 2006: Vancouver's Writers' Fest.
1-15 Nov. 2006: European Tour

Afua Cooper, Austin Clarke and Kamau Brathwaite

2006-07-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, 23 July 2006, at the Summer Festival Reading Series sponsored by the Stephen Leacock Museum in the town of Orillia, I will be reading with renowned Caribbean and world poet Kamau Brathwaite. He just won the richest poetry prize in the world--The Griffin Prize. This will be a special event. Here is the context: distinguished Canadian, Caribbean and world author Austin Clarke will be hosting a dinner. The menu will be created by Clarke and will be taken from his bestseller Love and Sweet Food (American publication title) or Pig Tail and Roast Breadfruit (Canadian publication title). The thing is the menu will be Bajan. Austin is a food lover and a wicked cook. He too will be reading. I will be reading from my new book of poetry Copper Woman. So check the link www.leacockmuseum.com/images/LSFPlacemat.pdf
for more info.

Copper Woman

2006-07-12T16:47:00.000-07:00

You are invited to an evening with the incomparable Afua Cooper as she launches her new book of poetry Copper Woman. This book speaks liberatory dub poetics which say equality and equity are possible and within reach. Copper woman invites us to cast off the chains and shackles that limit our insight, proclaim our freedom, and grasp a greater vision of the world. Allan Briesmaster describes Copper Woman as "incantatory, vivid, passionate, sensual and incendiary...a nourishment for the imagination."

Come hear Afua Cooper fresh from her tour of the best-selling and landmark book The Hanging of Angelique.

Special guests at the Copper Woman launch are the Dub Trinity Band, and dynamite poets Mel White, Strong, and Heron Jonse.
Sponsors: The Dub Poets Collective, Natural Heritage Press, and Writing Well

Place: The Lula Lounge, 1585 Dundas West, 2 blocks west of Dufferin
Date: Thursday, 22 June 2006
Time: doors open 6p.m
Showtime: 7:30 sharp

$10 at the door/sliding scale
Info: Lula Lounge: 416 588 0307
Dub Poets Collective: 416 598 4932
Natural Heritage Press: 416 694 7907
Writing Well: 416 653 1220

The Hanging of Angelique

2006-07-12T16:45:00.000-07:00

THE HANGING OF ANGELIQUE:
THE OLDEST SLAVE NARRATIVE IN THE NEW WORLD
(As seen in October 2005 issue of Essence Magazine)

Afua Cooper is an established writer of non-fiction, history, and poetry. She holds a Ph.D. in African-Canadian history with specialties in Slavery and Abolition. She also has expertise in Womens History and New France studies. She has contributed to several publications on the history of the African Diaspora in Canada and the Caribbean and is currently Professor of Black History and Women's Studies at the University of Toronto. Mrs. Cooper is also a recent winner of the Harry Jerome Award for Professional Excellence. For fifteen years, Mrs. Cooper has been researching the intriguing history of Marie-Joseph Angelique.

The Hanging of Angelique flips the script on the idea of Canada as a haven from slavery, yet this is also a story with international appeal. Angelique was Portuguese, and she had lived in what is now the United States. Her story resonates across time and space, back and forth across the Atlantic, traversing borders, language, race, and nations. Cooper's original research has assembled not only the first account of this story ever published in English, but also the first English-language histories of slavery in Canada and of the Atlantic Slave Trade that includes Canada.