Donté Colley has become a Canadian gem and internet sensation over the past few years. You’ve probably seen his infamous dancing posts on Instagram, which include emojis and positive affirmations that give his followers motivation to conquer their day. Colley’s dancing and content creation has created many opportunities, including a recent stint for Vogue Magazine and the Met Gala. 

With Gordon Shadrach’s latest exhibition at United Contemporary Gallery, Trade, the artist continues to explore Black masculinity and speak to the present, while referencing the important legacies of Black Canadian history.

"Pisces" Courtesy Montano St. Jules | Scarborough is east of everything. A maze of tree-lined streets and houses framed within unyielding strips of road, carrying a truly multicultural cast of players identified as newcomers, second-gen in-betweens, and some who have been around the block and back. It is part of that living, breathing organism that is Toronto. Far from its centre, it will never be referred to as the heart of the city; that moniker is held on to for dear life by downtown. The people of Scarborough have never really been allowed to lead politically, therefore, being considered the head…

When you think about where to find a great slice of pizza in Toronto, you probably envision College Street’s “Little Italy” or, if your tastes are a little more pedestrian, your corner Pizza Pizza. If you wouldn’t have selected “Little Jamaica” in the fantasy round of a Levar Burton-hosted Jeopardy, boy do I have a surprise for you! Toronto’s first-ever Caribbean-themed pizzeria is launching soon on Eglinton West and if you ever wanted to know what Jerk chicken would taste like on a slice of ‘za, here’s your chance to explore.

Searching for Jamaican recipes became especially popular during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as people sought comfort by replicating homestyle island cooking or just went looking for something different to make for dinner! Lots of people turned to Jamaicans.com, a popular Jamaican community platform that has over 400 recipes for authentic Jamaican dishes. Here are the top 12 recipes most downloaded by Jamaican food lovers in Canada.

Are you missing the tantalizing flavours of the Caribbean? Selwyn Richards is an award-winning Executive Chef and food stylist who is presenting his work at a mini food festival organized by the Jamaican Canadian Association and the Art of Catering. The food festival will take place on August 21, 2021, from 12PM to 8PM.

Daej Hamilton knew she wanted to be an inventor at 8 years old. By 12, inspired by her mother who was studying interior design at the time, the desire to create segued into a career interest in woodworking.

“It's time for Canada to talk about climate refugees and lead by example. We need some consistency in terms of government rhetoric and action,” says Debbie Douglas, the Executive Director of the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI). The theme of World Humanitarian Day 2021 highlights the immediate human cost of the climate crisis and urges world leaders to take concrete action for the most vulnerable people in the world. People like Debbie Douglas are on the frontlines of that fight, and so ByBlacks has chosen to feature Douglas on this World Humanitarian Day. 

Photo Credit: Anthony Gebrehiwot Randell Adjei recently made history after becoming Ontario’s first-ever Poet Laureate. When asked about his life after accepting the honour, Randell Adjei replied, “Way busier, more now than ever!” As of April 28th, 2021, with the approval of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Adjei added another notch to his already abundantly decorated belt. For his work as a spoken word artist and facilitator for young artists in Toronto, Randell Adjei has been given quite a few illustrious titles and accolades including Torontonian of the Year, Local Hero, and now, Poet Laureate of the province of Ontario.

Photo: Jacquie Comrie, Apanaki Temtayo Minerve (Credit: Neri Media), and Gloria C. Swain (Credit: Kwasi Kyei)