The context
Where the work begins
Afua Cooper leads A Black People's History of Canada, a research and education project that brings Black Canadian history into classrooms and public discussion. A U of T history and women's studies professor, she earned all three of her degrees at the university and participated in student anti-apartheid activism.
The takeaway
What follows
Her examples include Clement Ligoure, a physician denied hospital privileges in Halifax who opened his own hospital and treated explosion victims in 1917. She also recounts Lulu Anderson's unsuccessful 1922 court challenge after racist treatment at an Edmonton cinema. The project works with teachers on lesson plans and is mapping Black-owned Toronto businesses from 1850 to 1900.
Source reporting
Afua Cooper brings overlooked histories into view
O'shane Howard · September 18, 2026
Read the original reportingOriginal summary by Alumni Digest. Based on public source reporting. This independent publication is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Toronto.
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