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blacklit durham / CBLF in the news

#CBLF2026 on the Dr. Vibe show — august 21, 2026

by Dr. Vibe, August 21, 2026

Festival Director Greg Frankson discussed the upcoming Canadian Black Literary Festival with the irrepressible Dr. Vibe and his guest co-host Jonathan “Juiceman” Shaw on The Morning Vibe™ via livestream to YouTube and Facebook.  

Canadian Black Literary Festival in Ajax spotlights Black Canadian authors, literature — August 20, 2026

by Arjun Banerjee, Ajax News Advertiser, August 20, 2026

With the theme ‘voices of freedom,’ the festival presents award-winning authors, speakers and poets from the region and beyond who bring a diversity of experiences and talents to the stage.

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Blacklit Durham expands into national festival — June 20, 2026

by thecaribbeancamera.com, June 20, 2026

“Four years ago, in partnership with Ajax Public Library, our movement began when BlackLit Durham was born in Pickering Village. Now, we have created a festival to amplify Black literary voices and transform regional momentum into an international game changer,” says Frankson. 

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Blacklit Durham to feature two top Black literary voices — June 11, 2025

by sharenews.com admin, Share News, June 2025 Edition, pg. 4

"Nearly three years ago, we presented an event with Ajax Public Library to promote the release of AfriCANthology: Perspectives of Black Canadian Poets, and people loved not having to go to downtown Toronto to experience high-quality Black Canadian creativity," says Frankson. 

A woman with short curly hair speaking into a microphone on a stage with three light-colored chairs and a wooden podium. A large screen behind her displays a sign that reads 'TO MAKE HISTORY NOT RELIVE IT'.

BlackLit Durham: Pulling Black Canadian literature out of the shadows — April 3, 2025

by Chenelle Richards, The Chronicle – Durham College / Ontario Tech U.

"Black literary voices usually slip through the cracks. BlackLit Durham creates a space for Black Canadian writers and listeners yearning for authentic representation with the allure of open mic performances and diverse written works."

Ajax host first Canadian Black Literary Festival — august 26, 2026

aired on CBC Radio One 99.1FM in Toronto, August 26, 2026

[On Saturday, August 29], Ajax will host the inaugural Canadian Black Literary Festival. Greg Frankson, the executive director, talks about what is in store for the full day event.

Books, beats and everything else on Toronto's fall culture calendar — august 29, 2026

by AfroToronto Team, August 29, 2026

If the date [of the Canadian Black Literary Festival on August 29] slipped past you, the reading series it grew from keeps meeting every other month, which makes it worth a follow rather than a one-time visit.