CP Planning is partnered with Black Urbanism TO to collaborate with community in identifying, celebrating, and supporting the cultural strength within the Black residents of the Eglinton Avenue West and Little Jamaica neighbourhoods (between Allen Road and Keele Street). As part of this project, local youth (aged 13-30) will apply various community engagement practices to learn, from community, the cultures of support, creativity, and entrepreneurship, that make up this unique neighbourhood. Lessons from community will be summarized in a final report and mini-documentary.
Black Utopias
It could be set 20, 80, or even 100 years into the future. The Black Utopia does not mean the area is inhabited by only Black people, but Black people, Black life, and Black culture should be centered in your piece. Be as creative as you'd like in you contribution. In talking to community members, ideas have ranged from futuristic transit, to time travel, to environments abundant in urban agriculture.
Whether you live in the neighbourhood or visit frequently, we want to hear and support you! When writing your piece, here are some tips:
- Write about what you know, and build on it
- Write about what you're passionate about (is it retail, urban agriculture, housing, art?)
- Imagine the "what ifs" that you've dreamed about were real... and then write about them as if they were real
Poems contributed to the Black Utopias call will be added to the Black Futures on Eglinton Poem Book. This includes 15 other poems produced during the previous call for contributions.
Also, the top 10 poets submitting a piece to speak to Black Utopias on Eglinton received $75 each.
Major Funders
