Canada's First Major Public Sankofa Day Celebration!
When: Saturday, August 23 from 10am to 11pm
Where: Sankofa Square, 1 Dundas Street East, Toronto
Sankofa Day is a free, full-day celebration that invites everyone to a vibrant mix of culture, art, and community.
Hosted by Flow 98.7 FM's Alicia “ACE” West, the Sankofa Day Opening Ceremony sets a powerful tone for the day with a series of acknowledgements and messages. The ceremony begins with an Indigenous ceremonial welcome by Knowledge Keeper & Elder Daniel Secord, followed by a cultural performance. African Ancestral Acknowledgements will be delivered by Emmanuel Duodu, President of the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario, alongside a performance by the youth group Kids in Tourism Ensemble. The program will also feature remarks from a range of key partners and dignitaries, including Sankofa Square Board members, visiting Ghanaian dignitaries, and guests from the City of Toronto. The ceremony concludes with an overview of the new Sankofa Square brand.
Sankofa Day features a vibrant cultural showcase that includes a celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture with JERK X JOLLOF, an Afrodiasporic DJ set to groove to by Afrique Like Me, and a live performance by Indigenous artist Natasha Fisher. The stage will also feature a special free DJ set by the legendary Kardinal Offishall, presented as part of the iDREAM Awards. Attendees can also grab commemorative giveaways, explore art installations by Nicole Nomsa Moyo, watch the Everyone vs. Racism Graffiti Project come to life, and enjoy a Caribbean Film Festival screening.
For those who love to stay active, there will be a pre-event community run with Hill Run Club, Ultra Black, and Unchained Athletics, as well as sports activations with the Toronto Raptors, HOOPQUEENS, and Toronto Tempo sponsored by Canada Basketball.
The day culminates with a free closing party featuring the globally-renowned collective, MOONSHINE. With an artisan and food vendor market, this inclusive day celebrates Toronto’s rich history and cultural diversity!
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Sankofa Day Schedule
Come back regularly for more updates.
Please note, due to the nature of live events, times and programming are subject to change.
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SANKOFA DAY FREE MORNING RUN
Start your Sankofa Day at Sankofa Square with movement and community! Led by Hill Run Club and supported by local crews like Ultra Black and Unchained Athletics, this body-positive, size-inclusive, and culturally sensitive event welcomes individuals of all backgrounds and fitness levels to walk, jog, or run. Join us for this empowering run and celebrate the vibrancy and cultural diversity of Toronto.
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Hosted by Flow 98.7 FM’s Alicia “ACE” West, the Opening Ceremony will set a powerful tone for the day with a series of meaningful acknowledgements and messages. The event will begin with an Indigenous ceremonial welcome and cultural performance, followed by African Ancestral Acknowledgements and a Ghanaian cultural performance delivered by the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario (GCAO). The ceremony will also feature remarks from community representatives, city leaders, dignitaries, and more.
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The dynamic Alicia "ACE" West is our host for Sankofa Day, with exciting travel giveaways from Intrepid Travel.
Alicia “Ace” West is an on-air personality, podcaster, and sports host from Toronto. She is the host of “Ace and Marlon in the Morning,” the newest morning radio show on Flow 98.7. Alicia hosts a parenting podcast called “Wait…I’m a Mom?!” where she chats with notable mothers about their journey to and through motherhood. Formerly a co-host on the wildly popular podcast Extra Gravy Show, you can catch Ace making history on the field side of the pitch as the stadium host for the Northern Super League’s AFC Toronto, the first professional women’s soccer league in Canada.
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Immerse yourself in art and innovation with a special installation by renowned polymath designer Nicole Nomsa Moyo! In collaboration with Sankofa Square, Nicole presents KORA, a captivating immersive art experience, alongside a limited basketball drop in partnership with the Toronto Raptors. Born in Zimbabwe and raised in South Africa, Nicole's ground-breaking human-centered and sustainable designs have garnered global acclaim, making this a truly unmissable highlight.
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Speedy Transport presents its sixth Everyone vs. Racism graffiti project. Artists will transform a 53-foot transport truck trailer throughout the day, creating one of Sankofa Day’s most visually impactful and socially resonant installations. Designed to spark conversation and action, the experience uses public art to challenge systemic racism and promote solidarity.
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Dive into the captivating world of Caribbean cinema with free short-film screenings presented by the Caribbean Film Festival at Sankofa Square on August 23rd! Join us from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM for an inspiring showcase of films celebrating diverse stories and voices.
The Caribbean Film Festival, a world-class destination for Caribbean cinema, serves as the central hub uniting islands under a shared love for storytelling. Dedicated to reviving the Caribbean film industry, its mission is to showcase the region’s top talent on screen and behind the scenes — all in support of representation, reclaiming narratives, and creating opportunities for new voices.
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Participate in an exciting community basketball clinic led by the Toronto Raptors, generously supported by Canada Basketball! It's a fun-filled session open to youth and the community. This is a fantastic opportunity for participants of all ages to learn, improve their basketball skills, and have fun outside their comfort zone.
REGISTER FOR THE CLINIC AND LEARN MOREPlus, don’t miss the limited basketball drop in partnership with renowned designer Nicole Nomsa Moyo!
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Join us for a free community basketball experience and celebration of diversity in sports with HOOPQUEENS, proudly sponsored by the Toronto Raptors. Plus a grand prize and giveaways of Toronto Tempo merchandise.
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Celebrate Afro-Caribbean culture at Sankofa Square with Jerk X Jollof’s free day event on August 23rd! From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, join us for a vibrant celebration that brings together art, music, community, and delicious food inspired by the African and Caribbean diaspora. This event is a special opportunity to experience and support African and Caribbean talent and influence, right in the heart of Toronto.
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Groove to the vibrant sounds of Afrique Like Me at Sankofa Square! The Toronto-based collective, comprised of Razaq El Toro, Martin Ses, and Sonic Griot, will be performing a free African Electronic DJ set. Pioneers of "Eko Electronic," their music fuses alternative electronic, funk, and Afrobeats, creating a dynamic musical experience that celebrates African and Afrodiasporic culture. Join us to immerse yourself in this rich and diverse tapestry of sound.
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The iDREAM Awards celebrate individuals and organizations driving equity in Canada. These awards spotlight emerging voices shaping culture and breaking barriers, offering recipients a transformative $1 million media campaign. The iDREAM Lounge in Sankofa Square will host the Awards.
Want to attend the iDREAM Awards?
Tickets with access to the iDREAM Lounge are available for purchase.Proceeds for the awards segment in support iDREAM's mission.
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Experience the enchanting performance by the talented Natasha Fisher at theiDREAM Awards, happening at Sankofa Square on August 23rd, between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM. Join us for this special highlight of Sankofa Day as Natasha takes the stage with her unique blend of pop and alternative music.
Hailing from Northwestern Ontario, Natasha Fisher is a gifted vocalist and songwriter whose songs blend traditional pop and alternative genres. With edgy melodies and heartfelt storytelling, her music captures the journey of heartbreak, healing, and self-discovery. Adding depth and authenticity, Natasha incorporates Indigenous (Anishinaabe) elements into her work, reflecting her deep connection to her culture and community.
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Get ready for a special highlight of Sankofa Day with a powerful FREE DJ performance by the legendary Kardinal Offishall! As part of the iDREAM Awards, this performance is a must-see. Kardinal is one of Canada’s most iconic multi-award-winning hip hop artists, known for seamlessly blending Hip-Hop with Jamaican Reggae and Dancehall.
The iDREAM Awards celebrate and support individuals driving equity in Canada. Don't miss this incredible performance, and note that tickets to the all-inclusive iDREAM Lounge are available for purchase at idreamadream.ca.
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Cap off Sankofa Day with an unforgettable free closing party featuring MOONSHINE! This renowned post-border, multidisciplinary collective, celebrated for its lunar-aligned events and music centered on African and Afrodiasporic culture. Featuring resident DJs like Founder and Polaris Music Prize Winner Pierre Kwenders, Vanyfox, San Farafina, and AKAntu.
The iDREAM Awards
A signature highlight of Sankofa Day, the iDREAM Awards celebrate individuals and organizations driving equity in Canada. These awards spotlight emerging voices shaping culture and breaking barriers, offering recipients a transformative $1 million media campaign. The iDREAM Lounge in Sankofa Square will host the Awards.
Want to attend the iDREAM Awards?
Tickets with access to the iDREAM Lounge are available for purchase at idreamadream.ca.
Proceeds for the awards segment in support iDREAM's mission.
Everyone vs. Racism presented by Speedy Transport
Speedy Transport joins Sankofa Day as a key presenting partner, showcasing its sixth Everyone vs. Racism graffiti project. Artists will transform a 53-foot transport truck trailer throughout the day, creating one of Sankofa Day’s most visually impactful and socially resonant installations. Designed to spark conversation and action, the experience uses public art to challenge systemic racism and promote solidarity.
Everyone vs. Racism 2024
Our Valued Partners
Sankofa Day is made possible through the dedication of our incredible community partners:
D.PE Agency: Award-winning creative agency behind Sankofa Square's new brand identity and the comprehensive programming for this inaugural celebration.
iDREAM: A national nonprofit amplifying Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, and underrepresented voices, investing in the future of equity in Canada through the iDREAM Awards.
Speedy Transport: Presenting the "Everyone vs. Racism" graffiti project, using public art to challenge systemic racism and promote solidarity.
Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Ontario: Playing a key role in the African Ancestral Acknowledgement Ceremony, their support underscores our commitment to honouring Black community and African diaspora heritage.
What is Sankofa Day?
Sankofa Day globally refers to the UNESCO International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition, observed annually on August 23rd. Rooted in the Sankofa principle of learning from the past to build a stronger future, this day is recognized globally in countries like Haiti, Senegal, France, and the United Kingdom. It is a global moment for reflection, healing, and a collective call to action for justice and creative expression for the African Diaspora and all humanity.
Looking Back
Thousands of events and gatherings have taken place at the Square during it 20-plus year history. Here are a few of those memories.
