Why Storykeepers?

May 25 2026

Black writers in Canada continue to face systemic barriers to entering and sustaining careers in the literary industry. Despite increased conversations around diversity, meaningful structural change in publishing remains limited.

Research shows Black writers are underrepresented in publishing, underserved in professional development, and often excluded from the networks that shape access to mentorship, funding, and career opportunities. Historically, many Black writers have relied on self publishing and community based platforms due to exclusion from mainstream institutions.

At the same time, the success of Black authored books demonstrates what is possible when meaningful support exists. While sales and visibility have increased in recent years, these gains have often been temporary and unsupported by long term investment.

Storykeepers was created in response to these inequities.

Through initiatives like the Black Writers Lab, Storykeepers provides mentorship, skill development, industry access, and community centered programming designed to support Black writers and help build more sustainable pathways within publishing and storytelling industries.

We believe Black stories are not exceptions. They are essential to Canada’s literary and cultural landscape.

References 

BookNet Canada. (2024). The sales of Black titles in Canada.

Excalibur Publications. (2023). The publishing industry needs urgent revisions.

So, R. J., & Wezerek, G. (2020). Just how white is the book industry?

Thompson, J. B. (2012). Merchants of culture: The publishing business in the twenty-first century. Polity.

Writers’ Union of Canada. (2021). Who gets published in Canada?

Queen’s University. (2023). Uncovering the history of Black self-publishing in Canada.