Paul Akpomuje, PhD candidate, recently released his debut collection of poems titled Black Passport. Black Passport: A Migrant's Memoir tackles themes of migration, being Black African in Canada, the paperwork associated with journeys, borders, and more. The collection is published by Griots Lounge Canada, a Manitoba-based publisher that brings Black and African narratives to Canadian and global readership.
In this debut collection Paul's writing is emotional, multifaceted, compelling, and above all explores the diverse experiences of migrant stories.
Since joining the Faculty of Education Paul has co-hosted and organized multiple poetry and community events, like the Poetics of Migration: An interactive poetry workshop and the Poetics of Love, an event commemorating World Poetry Day in the Education Library.
The release of Paul's book presents an opportunity to gather community together for celebration and good food. On Thursday, February 26, 2026 Paul is doing a book launch and live reading at Modern Fuel Artist-Run Centre. Organized by the Revolutionary Demand for Happiness and hosted by Sadiqa de Meijer, the poet laureate of Kingston, the book launch is an opportunity to listen, eat, and celebrate Black poetic storytelling. Doors will open at 4:30 pm and the event runs from 5 to 7:30 pm.
Paul's current research is on visa stories and the poetics of migration focusing on Nigerian immigrants in Canada
Black Passport can be purchased through Amazon, University of Toronto Press, and by visiting the local bookstore Novel Idea.
The book launch and live reading are currently sold out.
Please send an email if you would like to be added to the waitlist