You are invited to a special screening of Copper Woman: Afua Cooper, Dub Poet, followed by a conversation with New College, University of Toronto alumna Dr. Afua Cooper, moderated by Patricia Bebia.

Creatively directed and produced by Dr. Raussert, the documentary traces Dr. Cooper’s remarkable trajectory as a pioneering voice in Canadian dub poetry. Through performance and storytelling, the film highlights the vital connections between her creative practice and academic scholarship, reflecting on her enduring contributions to Black Canadian history, literature, and community advocacy.

Event Details: 

Date: Tuesday, October 27th, 2026
Time:  6:00 – 8:00 PM (5:30 PM – Reception & Refreshments)
Location: Innis Town Hall, 2 Sussex Ave, Toronto, M5S 1J5

About the Speaker: 

Dr. Afua Cooper (BA 1986 NEW, MA 1991 OISE, PhD 2000) is an internationally recognized poet, scholar, author, and historian whose foundational work has reshaped Canadian cultural and historical discourse.

Her historical research includes The Hanging of Angélique: The Untold Story of Canadian Slavery and the Burning of Old Montréal, which was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award. A former Poet Laureate of Halifax (2018-2020), Dr. Cooper has published six acclaimed volumes of poetry–including Copper Woman and Other Poems–alongside extensive works of historical fiction and children’s literature. Among her numerous honours, she is the recipient of the J.B Tyrrell Historical Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Canadian History from the Royal Society of Canada and awarded the Portia White Prize for Artistic Excellence. Dr. Cooper currently serves as a professor in the Department of Historical and Cultural Studies at University of Toronto Scarborough and the Department of History and the Women & Gender Studies Institute at the University of Toronto.

About the Moderator:

Patricia Bebia is an award-winning media executive, filmmaker, broadcaster, and international speaker dedicated to using storytelling to inspire leadership, resilience, and positive social change. With over 25 years of industry experience, she serves as President of Diamond Plus Media and Executive Vice President and Co-Owner of Afroglobal Television, Canada’s largest Black-owned television network.

She is the creator and host of Leaders & Icons, a multimedia platform featuring global changemakers, and the writer, director, and producer of the feature film The Life Coach, which earned 16 international awards. A former Chair of the Reelworld Screen Institute, Patricia has dedicated her career to elevating underrepresented voices. Her impact has been featured on CNN International and recognized with prestigious honors, including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the Martin Luther King Jr. DreamKeeper Award. Patricia frequently addresses corporate, educational, and leadership audiences, empowering them to lead with purpose and create lasting impact.

Copper Woman: Afua Cooper and Her Poetry. Film Screening and Conversation with Dr. Afua Cooper is presented in collaboration with New College, University College, Innis College, Woodsworth College, Faculty of Arts and Science and Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE).