Jay Pitter: Black Public Joy

What brings us together when everything pushes us apart? For too long, marginalized communities have been policed, excluded, and made to feel unwelcome in the very public spaces that should belong to everyone. Award-winning urbanist and author Jay Pitter joins us to discuss a radical reimagining: what happens when Black joy, celebration, and community become visible, valued, and protected in our shared spaces?

Through the lens of her transformative work Black Public Joy, Pitter will explore how reclaiming public space as sites of celebration and connection is an act of resistance and renewal. For a diverse city like Toronto in 2025, this conversation is crucial—asking us to examine whose stories are told in our parks, plazas, and streets, and whose joy is celebrated versus surveilled. This is about more than urban planning; it's about creating a city where every resident can gather, celebrate, and be fully seen. Pitter will illuminate how making space for Black public joy creates more inclusive, vibrant communities for everyone.

Picture streets alive with celebration, parks filled with laughter that has long been silenced, public squares where every community can gather without fear. This event invites us to imagine—and build—a Toronto where joy isn't a privilege but a right, and where our shared spaces finally reflect the full humanity of everyone who calls this city home.

Q&A and book signing to follow. Books available for purchase.

About this event’s guests:

Dr. Cheryl Thompson

Read more:

Black Public Joy

Subdivided: City-Building in an Age of Hyper-Diversity

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PLAN YOUR VISIT:

Location: Bram and Bluma Appel Salon, Toronto Reference Library (789 Yonge Street), 2nd floor

Time: Doors open 6:00pm, Event starts 7:00pm.

Tickets: Free registration required.

Ticket policy: We oversell these events to ensure that the greatest number of people have an opportunity to attend. Tickets guaranteed until 6:45pm or until capacity is reached. Seating first come, first served

Bar: Beer/wine available for purchase (debit/credit only).

Accessibility: TPL is committed to accessibility. If you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation for this event, please contact [email protected] or 416-393-7099 at least three weeks prior to the event.

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This event is part of our signature Salon Series, where we host local and international authors, artists and thinkers in conversation about their new books and big ideas.

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Information Collection Notice: The personal information on this form is collected by the Toronto Public Library under the Public Libraries Act, sections 20(a), 20(c), and 20(d). The information will only be used for event and program registration, delivery and evaluation. Registrants may be contacted to fill out a brief survey following the program. Questions about how the library handles your information can be directed to Answerline staff at [email protected], 416-397-5981, 789 Yonge Street, Toronto ON M4W 2G8.

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Host or Publisher Toronto Public Library