REFLECTION & REASON

It's the time of year when we get an extra dose of reminders of all of the horrible atrocities committed openly against Black people here in Canada, and around the world. Reminders of the disrespect, the discrimination...and an annual reminder of how much more work needs to be done to attempt to repair the damages deliberately invoked on peoples of African descent. It would have been so wonderful to learn these stories in school from a young age, in addition to at-home lessons. To have everyone learn about the collective histories of settlers, and of the Indigenous, as we coloured maps of Canada and memorized capital cities in each province. Now designated as a National Historic Site, the spirit of the town of Africville holds so much more power and inspiration that geography class could have been enhanced with. Decades ago, had the truth been communicated openly. James Lorimer & Co. Ltd., Publishing, 2021 In the  Righting Canada's Wrongs  collection of anti-racism resour...

Inspired and informed by the experiences and journey of Canadian author Jawara Pedican , the YA novel The Hoop and the Harm features the life and internal struggles of a university student who has dedicated his life to the game of basketball.  Pedican, a former varsity athlete at McGill University and the University of Toronto, uses his wisdom to share the fictional story of  Udoka (aka "Yoosie") Clendon, who is working to overcome challenges with his confidence, family influences, and his vision for the future...in addition to navigating everyday circumstances growing up in Toronto as a young Black man. There are many energetic in-game descriptions that make this an exciting sports novel, but there is also a rare intimate look offered in this text, highlighting the thoughts and emotions of a star athlete with infinite potential for success. Through discussions with his therapist, and special chapter segments focusing in on "Feldbrook's Lesson," there is amazin...

February is the time of year when I reflect on the essence of reggae music, how it has shaped and informed my life's activities, and how I can contribute to the conversation, development, and preservation of the genre. On a good year, that appears as a pre-February trip to Jamaica to attend the Rebel Salute reggae festival and immerse myself in the sounds, the atmosphere, and the legacy of the artists and environment. Most years, I reflect from the cold of Toronto, Canada, and give thanks for the music that gets me through the winter, the remaining months, and all of the occurrences that come with the changing seasons. In life. What I love most about reggae music is the intentional and transformational messaging that the genre is rooted in. In every iteration of reggae since its inception in 1960s Jamaica, the music continues to be a force of cultural communication, identity formation, and solidifying Jamaica's place in world history as a nation of trendsetters and creative in...

  James Lorimer & Company Ltd. is an independent publishing house based in Toronto that publishes children's and teen fiction (and non-fiction) focusing on reluctant and struggling readers. Their titles are widely recognized and recommended by children's book reviewers in Canada and the U.S., with an adult list also focusing on contemporary Canadian social and political issues. My forthcoming novel Dancehall Rebel will be available through Lorimer in February of 2024! In  Dancehall Rebel  (written by Stacey Robinson), a teen shares her dad’s vibrant Caribbean musical legacy but is burdened by the homophobia that comes along with it. She needs to find a new path for the music and for herself. Publication Date: February 2024 ISBN: 9781459418141 Interest ages: 14-18  For a full listing of Lorimer novels with African Canadian protagonists (written by  African Canadian authors ), please visit their  website : Ace and the Misfits by Eddie Kawooya New to Canad...

My new book  Dancehall Rebel   is rooted in a love for music, while looking at how this love can intersect with contradictory values, beliefs, or religious practices—across cultures. I hope this story can serve as a source of reflection, awareness, and a catalyst for conversation. Denise’s family represents many parents, cousins, or community members of all backgrounds who are unsure of how to navigate unfamiliar lifestyles or technologies. This story can be a tool and example, for those who need to explore these changes across generations, as Denise approaches her new reality with respect for her family and the culture she was raised in, while nurturing her independent journey into adulthood. ~ Stacey Robinson DANCEHALL REBEL By Stacey Robinson A teen shares her dad’s vibrant Caribbean musical legacy but is burdened by the homophobia that comes along with it. She needs to find a new path for the music and for herself. Dancehall Rebel is a groundbreaking novel portraying a Car...