Black History Month 2026: Speaker Series Presents Latoya Belfon

Latoya Belfon, a 4x best-selling author, award-winning entrepreneur, publisher, and dynamic educator whose career reflects excellence, resilience, and community impact. She is the Founder and CEO of Labworks Publishing Inc. This Canadian hybrid publishing company has supported over 300 authors and entrepreneurs globally. Latoya is the creator of LabKids Music and the #1 iTunes children’s song Chippy Chocolatey, which promotes self-love and appreciation of diversity among young audiences. Latoya is also an alumna of Vanier College. 

Mirror Me: Afrofuturism, Education, and the Futures We Build 

This presentation explores Afrofuturism as a critical lens within education, literature, and publishing. Drawing on research, curriculum analysis, and lived experience, Latoya Belfon examines how Black voices have historically been underrepresented in literature, publishing, and academic spaces, and how these gaps shape students’ sense of belonging, engagement, and imagination. 

The talk traces where Black literary representation has been, highlights moments where dominant narratives are disrupted through culturally grounded texts, and examines how authorship and curriculum function as tools for future-building. Through reflections on her journey as a student, author, educator, and publisher, Belfon demonstrates how Afrofuturism moves beyond imagination into practice by creating spaces where diverse stories are normalized, not exceptional.