Keynote Speaker: Khodi Dill

Black Ink: Exploring the Power and Potential of Lit-Hop

Canadian author, educator, emcee, and spoken-word artist Khodi Dill will focus this presentation on the immense potential that lies within spoken word and hip-hop as underrepresented and untapped literary forms for young people. These powerful and historically Black genres have the power to change lives, inspire movements, and overcome injustice, for the benefit of people of all identities. The late great Nikki Giovanni spoke about the “Black ink” of rap music and other genres as a part of the canon of world literature. In her words, “Black Lives Matter. Black Ink reminds us of why.”

Khodi Dill is an author, anti-racism educator, spoken-word artist, and emcee from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His work focuses on themes of social justice, Black identity, hip-hop, and joy. Well known for his picture books Welcome to the Cypher and Little Black Lives Matter, his latest publication is a non-fiction book for young adults titled stay up: racism, resistance, and reclaiming Black freedom (Annick Press). For more on Khodi, visit thegreygriot.com or follow @KhodiDill on social media.

Photo credit: Carly Brown Photography

Back to Spring Newsletter 2025

View next article –>