POSTED ON AUGUST 1, 2023
As Toronto prepares to launch the annual Caribbean Carnival that began more than 60 years ago to celebrate Black emancipation from slavery, York University Libraries celebrates its role in preserving and sharing the historic origins of the festival.
The archives of Kenneth Shah, a founding organizer of the event originally known as Caribana, capture the enthusiastic embrace of masquerade, dancing, and music through 30 years of text, photographs, and film—all of which provide unique insights into the cultural contributions of the Black and Caribbean communities. Kenneth Shah is a founding member of Caribana and the Caribbean Cultural Committee and was involved for more than 30 years with the festival celebrating Black emancipation from slavery.
York University Press Release
Read the complete press release here.