Rita & Sam Burke

Rita and Sam Burke have lived in the St. Clair West area since 1972, where they raised two children in the neighbourhood. Rita and Sam have dedicated their lives to being educators - Rita graduated from the University of Toronto and taught nursing, specialising in mental health nursing, while Sam worked as a high school teacher and guidance counselor in Scarborough. They talk about their lives in the St. Clair West area, where they launched Burke’s Bookstore in 1994. The store curates Afrocentric books, art and gifts, and became a hub for the local community.

They have also authored and published a children’s book, I Like Being Me.

AUDIO INTERVIEW

Links

Sam & Rita Burke have been educators for over three decades. Their life’s mission is to curate and connect books to people and people to books. In 1994, they started an Afrocentric bookstore in Toronto, Canada. The bookstore morphed into a community hub, for authors, artists, and events for the enrichment of Toronto’s Black and Caribbean community.

Burke’s Bookstore - Afrocentric Art, Books and Gifts since 1994.

I Like Being Me book - This book, written by Sam and Rita Burke, uses poetic rhythm and boldly colorful illustrations to invite readers to be joyful and confident in their skin.

Speak Up! Podcast - Empowering your community with thought-provoking discussions from trailblazing men and women, driving progress and positive change through inspiring conversation. Click here to listen to Sam and Rita Burke’s episode about their book I Like Being Me.

TRANSCRIPT

Coming soon

Newspaper article showing Rita Burke training first year nursing students at Sir Sandford Fleming College