A celebrated Toronto author and community leader is being honoured in a major way — receiving the Key to the City from Mayor Olivia Chow.
On Tuesday, Dr. Itah Sadu was given the highest honour from the city at a special Black History Month reception, for her lifelong contributions as an acclaimed storyteller, children’s author and community leader.
“She’s a legend, she’s a master storyteller,” Chow said. “Her bookstore is not just selling books… but she nurtured a future generation. It’s my honour to provide her [with] the key to the city.”
Sadu, who is also the owner of bookstore A Different Booklist, said the experience was amazing.
“I’m feeling pretty special at this moment,” Sadu told Now Toronto. “It’s a happy moment of just great joy.”
Sadu said the experience, and support made her contributions feel all the better.
“When people show up for you, then you know. Then you know.”
Her work in children’s literature promotes the message of belonging and togetherness to Black kids, reminding them they are enough, loved and are the future.
Her bookstore, located on Bathurst St near Bloor Street West, also has a focus on African and Caribbean Canadian literature, creating a learning space rooted in and for the city’s Black community.
Sadu is also the Managing Director of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, also known as The People’s Residence, a nonprofit spotlighting experiences centred around the culture of African and Caribbean Canadians.
