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Black Culture
Popular Culture Project

​Centering Black Youth as Cultural Producers, 
Knowledge Creators, and Architects of Popular Culture

Join us at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) for a research-driven and community-centred exploration of Black youth excellence, creativity, and resistance through popular culture.

March 6th & 7th, 2026

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2026 Conference Activities

Black youth can register to participate in one, two, or all of the conference activities (please see age specification). Use the links below to register for conference events!  

Black Youth Marketplace
March 6th
(Ages: 14 - 25)

A vibrant marketplace celebrating Black youth as creative entrepreneurs and cultural producers. Youth showcase and sell original artwork, fashion, digital designs, and creative goods while building community and economic opportunity.

Black Futures Art Exhibition
March 6th
(Ages: 14 -25)

A youth-led art exhibition exploring themes of liberation, resistance, and Afrofuturism. Black youth artists present visual art works imagining futures rooted in joy, justice, and collective care.

Black Youth Symposium
March 7th
(High School Students)

A full-day conference bringing together Black high school students for hands-on workshops, keynote talks, and creative dialogue on Black culture, popular culture, and liberatory futures.

Conference activities are designed for Black youth 14 -25 however events are open to all. Register to attend events as a  guest!
We would love to share this experience with you! 

Black Youth Culture IS Popular Culture

Black youth are cultural producers, knowledge creators, and architects of resistance and liberation. Yet their voices are often marginalized in academic and media spaces.

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Through popular culture, which includes gaming, hip-hop, visual arts, social media, and so much more, Black youth are creating meaning, imagining futures, and building community.​ This project amplifies those voices and creates spaces for youth to lead scholarship, celebrate their creativity, and shape the future together.

Project Partners

"This space made me feel seen and celebrated. I never knew there were so many young Black people thinking about the same things I am. It was empowering."

- Jordan, Grade 11

"I came in nervous, but left with confidence. The workshops helped me see my creativity as something valuable and worthy of sharing."

- Aisha, Grade 10

"Hearing from scholars AND young people like me showed me that my voice matters. I'm definitely coming back."

- Marcus, Grade 12

​Register to Attend!

Support Black youth entrepreneurship. Attend the Youth Entrepreneur Marketplace and celebrate the amazing creativity of Black youth artists and business owners. Browse, shop, connect, and support!

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