Black on the Shelf

Black on the Shelf is a literary gathering led by the UTM Library, in partnership with Black at UTM and a range of campus and departmental units, celebrating Black authors, Black stories, and the enduring power of Blackness across time. Anchored by the theme “Blackness is Timeless,” the event invites students, staff, faculty, and community members to gather for reflection, dialogue, and affirmation through literature.

Join us for an engaging afternoon in conversation with Matthew Morris, University of Toronto alum and author of Black Boys Like Me. Morris’s work sparks bold, honest reflections on race, identity, belonging, and the lived realities of Black boyhood—conversations that remain deeply relevant across generations and institutions.

The event will also feature Abdulsalam Oladimeji, University of Toronto Mississauga student and author of Infinite Mirrors. Oladimeji’s writing offers a profound exploration of identity, transformation, and the human experience of navigating multiple selves, inviting readers into moments of introspection, vulnerability, and growth.

Together, these authors underscore the timelessness of Black thought, Black creativity, and Black storytelling.

Join us for readings, meaningful conversation, and collective affirmation as we celebrate Black voices on the shelf, on the page, and in community.

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026
Time: 1pm-3pm
Location: UTM Library, Main Floor
 

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