For Families
Children often have a lot going on, with a multitude of questions running through their minds. Enjoy a warm and inclusive afternoon with local Community Changemaker Grace Ibrahima, writer of the book White Questions, Black Answers: Helping Kids to be Seen and Heard. Grace will be Auntie for the afternoon and answer all respectful questions young participants have about skin colour, racism, bigotry, discrimination, and general curiousity.
Canada’s 2026 Black History Month theme is Honouring Black Brilliance Across Generations, and this author event is thoughtfully designed with families in mind. Children will help guide the conversation through their questions, creating a welcoming, judgement-free space where curiosity and learning are encouraged for all ages. Everyone with an interest in listening, learning, and reflecting together is welcome to attend, and an adults-only session on this topic will be offered later in the summer.
There will be an opportunity to buy Grace's book and have it signed after the event.
This is a registered event for families. Please register each person attending by using the blue "add more people" button in the registration form.
Grace Ibrahima grew up in Trinidad, with very little formal education. As a young woman, she applied, and was accepted to a nursing program in England. She graduated from both Nursing and Midwifery school. While there, she met and married a man who would help her to change the course of her life.
They later immigrated to Canada with their two sons, and she continued her nursing career.
Years after arriving in Canada, she enrolled at McMaster University in the Addiction Studies program and was the recipient of the 1998-1999 (MAPS) McMaster Part-time Student Centennial Award. She invested her monetary prize and partnered with the university to educate students from Eastern Europe about the devastating effects of addiction.
Grace’s turbulent life journey was featured in the Waterloo Region Record, Waterloo Chronicle, Financial Post, CTV and Vision TV.
Photography Notice: Please note that photographs and videos may be taken at this event and may be broadcast, reproduced, and/or made available in print or online. For individual or small group photos, staff will make attendees aware of their presence and will ask permission before taking photos.
For larger public events, please note that by attending, you are consenting to the use of your appearance, image, and voice in print or digital productions created by the Waterloo Public Library for promotional use only. Please speak to library staff at the event if you’d like to be excluded from any photo/video.
Staff: Vrinda
AGE GROUP: | Kids | Families |
EVENT TYPE: | Special Events | Lifelong Learning | Cultures and Communities | Author Events |
TAGS: | Other Children's Programming | Black History Month |
The McCormick Branch is nestled in the heart of the Lakeshore neighbourhood, providing exciting resources to its residents. The second oldest of Waterloo Public Library’s locations, the McCormick Branch is small but mighty and is part of the Albert McCormick Community Centre which features a large outdoor play area, splash pad and skate park.