Itah Sadu Awarded Key To The City During Black History Month Reception
On February 24, 2026, Olivia Chow presented the Key to the City to Itah Sadu, honouring her lifelong contributions as an award-winning storyteller, author, educator and cultural leader. The presentation took place during the Mayor’s annual Black History Month Reception, where February 2026 was also officially proclaimed Black History Month in the City of Toronto.
The Key to the City is Toronto’s highest honour granted by the Mayor, awarded to individuals who embody the spirit and potential of the city and who have made significant contributions to civic life. In recognizing Dr. Sadu, the City celebrated decades of work dedicated to strengthening Toronto’s Black community and enriching the city’s broader literary and cultural landscape.
A Legacy Rooted in Storytelling and Community
Dr. Sadu is widely known as an acclaimed children’s author whose work affirms that Black children belong in every story, every space and every future. Through her books and educational advocacy, she has helped reshape representation in Canadian literature, ensuring young readers see themselves reflected with dignity and possibility.
Beyond her writing, Dr. Sadu co-owns A Different Booklist, an iconic Toronto bookstore specializing in African and Caribbean Canadian literature. For decades, the bookstore has served as a cultural hub and gathering space rooted in and serving Toronto’s Black community. It has been more than a retail space; it has been a site of dialogue, learning and collective empowerment.
Dr. Sadu also serves as Managing Director of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, also known as The People’s Residence. The centre stands as a beacon for the stories, achievements and cultural heritage of Canadians of African and Caribbean descent. Through exhibitions, programming and community engagement, Blackhurst has created space for artistic expression, historical preservation and intergenerational connection.
Through storytelling, business leadership and cultural stewardship, Dr. Sadu has nurtured roots, embodied resilience and created spaces for youth, artists and families across Toronto.
Recognizing a Builder of Cultural Infrastructure
For decades, Dr. Sadu’s advocacy and creativity have opened doors for generations of Torontonians. Her work has strengthened representation in literature, elevated Black voices and built community through culture, education and entrepreneurship.
In presenting the award, Mayor Chow reflected on the impact of Dr. Sadu’s leadership.
“Toronto is strengthened by leaders like Dr. Itah Sadu who dedicate their lives to culture, storytelling and community,” said Mayor Chow. “As an award-winning storyteller, author and leader, she has spent decades strengthening our city and elevating Black voices while enriching Toronto’s literary life. On behalf of the people of Toronto, I am proud to present her with the Key to the City.”
Dr. Sadu expressed gratitude for the recognition, particularly during Black History Month.
“I am extremely honoured to be receiving the Key to the City from Mayor Olivia Chow,” she said. “The City’s generous gesture will be a reminder that my contribution as a builder and leader in Toronto’s Black community has inspired Torontonians. I am especially grateful to be accepting the Key to the City during Black History Month, a time that both celebrates the achievements of Black people and acknowledges the ongoing racism and systemic barriers they face. I am also very proud of helping to build spaces across the city, such as the Blackhurst Cultural Centre, which provide opportunities for artistic and cultural expression.”
The Meaning of the Key to the City
Photo Credit: Dr. Itah Sadu receiving the Key to the City from Mayor Olivia Chow. (Courtesy: cityoftoronto/X)
The Mayor awards the Key to the City to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who have contributed significantly to civic life. It is Toronto’s highest honour granted by the Mayor to an individual or group.
Residents are invited to nominate individuals who have made meaningful impacts on the city through the Mayor’s office. More information, including a list of past recipients, is available on the City of Toronto’s website.
As Toronto marked Black History Month, the recognition of Dr. Itah Sadu stood as both a celebration and a reminder. It honoured a lifetime of work rooted in culture, literacy and community building and affirmed the essential role Black storytellers and cultural leaders continue to play in shaping the city’s past, present and future.
