To close out Poetry Month, we would like to honour the Principal Investigator of A Black People’s History of Canada, Dr. Afua Cooper. She is a Jamaican Canadian historian, educator, and poet who co-founded the Canadian Dub poetry movement and served as creative director of the Dub Poets Collective. Her poetry is known for its powerful themes of resistance and liberation. It is deeply rooted in the Black oral tradition, often exploring the history and culture of the African diaspora, addressing racism, sexism, and oppression.
One of her most potent works is "Memories Have Tongue," in which she reflects on the legacy of slavery and how it still shapes the lives of Black people today. From 2018 to 2020, she served as Halifax, Nova Scotia’s seventh Poet Laureate. With seven volumes of poetry published, the latest titled "The Halifax Explosion," Afua Cooper’s contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades, including the Harry Jerome Award for Excellence in Arts, the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Portia White Prize.
Photo credit: Afua Cooper
Source: A Black People’s History of Canada
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