Dr. Afua Cooper, a Jamaican-Canadian historian, poet, and scholar, has been honored with the Order of Nova Scotia, the province’s highest distinction. This recognition celebrates her distinctive contributions to literature, Black Canadian research, and neighborhood constructing. Listed here are 5 key issues to learn about this trailblazing determine:
1. A Pioneer in Black Canadian Research
Dr. Cooper has spent over 25 years championing the examine of Black Canadian historical past and tradition. Her groundbreaking work, significantly in growing the sphere of Black Canadian Research, has made an enduring affect on Canadian scholarship. She is greatest identified for her guide The Hanging of Angelique, which examines Canada’s position within the transatlantic slave commerce.
2. Former Halifax Poet Laureate
As Halifax’s Poet Laureate from 2018 to 2020, Dr. Cooper introduced tales of the African diaspora to life via her poetry. Her time as Poet Laureate additional solidified her position as a cultural bridge, connecting Nova Scotia’s historical past with up to date voices.
3. Mentor and Advocate for Inclusivity
Dr. Cooper is a devoted mentor to Black and racialized college students, school, and artists. Her affect extends past academia, as she actively helps neighborhood organizations and fosters areas for African Canadian voices within the arts and training sectors.
4. An Tutorial Trailblazer
Dr. Cooper taught at Dalhousie College in Halifax for 13 years, the place she left a profound affect on college students and colleagues. In 2024, she grew to become a full professor on the College of Toronto, furthering her mission to combine Black Canadian historical past into mainstream educational discourse.
5. Jamaican Roots, Canadian Legacy
Born in Westmoreland and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Dr. Cooper immigrated to Canada in 1980. Her Jamaican heritage deeply informs her work, mixing a Caribbean perspective together with her Canadian experiences to create a singular voice in literature and scholarship.
Order of Nova Scotia Recognition
Dr. Cooper joins an esteemed group of Nova Scotians in receiving the Order of Nova Scotia for 2024. This honor acknowledges her unwavering dedication to cultural heritage and training, which has enriched each the province and the nation.
The formal ceremony will happen at Authorities Home within the spring of 2025, celebrating Dr. Cooper’s achievements alongside fellow honorees from fields resembling legislation, philanthropy, and the humanities.
