Black Canadians in the Arts

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The idea for this series was born out of my own realization that after 30 years here in Toronto, I too have a hyphenated identity as a Canadian originally from Israeli. My neighbourhood is Toronto's Cabbage Town, originally home to 19th century Irish immigrants, and it is now a place of residence to old time Canadians, new "off the boat" immigrants and everything in between. I can only imagine that at least a dozen or more nations are represented in just a few city blocks, mostly living harmoniously. 

But not all is perfect. Most immigrants struggle with their desire to hold on to their native identities, while also trying on the elusive Canadian identity. Skin colour is still a trigger for covert prejudice, and the old country conflicts are not always left behind.

Exploring my own identity as an immigrant, I wanted to talk and visually capture how my fellow immigrants, especially those in the arts who found unique ways to both amalgamate and at times, distinguish aspects of their identities through their art form. 

I decided to start this journey with African and Caribbean Canadians, since many are quite literally at my door step. Cabbage Town and adjacent neighborghoods is now home for many East African immigrants and for many years Caribbean-Canadians. 

Comment: More complete and consistent (Age. Where each is from. How long they've been here. A quote from each one. A common thread in their quotes. Similar questions. Not too generic and flat.)