Author Antonio Michael Downing Coming to the Museum of Dufferin for Special Event

The Town of Shelburne is pleased to help share an exciting event taking place later this month. In partnership with the Museum of Dufferin, BookLore, and Small Town Big Ideas, acclaimed Canadian author Antonio Michael Downing will be visiting on Saturday, April 25, 2026, for an afternoon of conversation, storytelling, and literary insight.

This special event will be moderated by Shannon McGrady, CEO of the Shelburne Public Library.

About the Event

Guests are invited to spend the afternoon inside the historic Corbetton Church at the Museum of Dufferin for an engaging discussion centered on Downing’s newest novel, Black Cherokee. The event runs from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, and tickets are $20.

Tickets are available at BookLore or online through the Museum of Dufferin or visit online: https://dufferinmuseum.shop/pages/events or https://ow.ly/tTjJ50Y0Nbt.

About the Author

Antonio Michael Downing is the author of the acclaimed memoir "Saga Boy" and the children’s book, "Stars in My Crown". You will know him from Saturday afternoons on CBC Radio as he is the current host of the CBC Radio program The Next Chapter where he discusses books with authors and columnists. He spends his time writing books, singing songs, and trying to make his grandma proud. Antonio Michael's rich storytelling shines through in his debut novel "Black Cherokee".

"Queenie meets Frying Plantain in this courageous coming-of-age story, set in the 1990s, about a mixed-race Black girl fighting for recognition in a South Carolina Cherokee community that refuses to accept her ancestry as legitimate. With dazzling language, keen insight, and an unforgettable voice, Black Cherokee is not only an astonishing novel but a profound meditation on race, identity, and coming of age from a major literary talent." - Publisher

Event Details

Date: Saturday April 25, 2026
Time: 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Location: Corbetton Church, Museum of Dufferin
Cost: $20 per ticket
Moderator: Shannon McGrady, CEO, Shelburne Public Library