Use the contact page to get in touch with Khodi Dill or to book a live or virtual keynote, guest talk, interview, or performance with your school or organization today.
Khodi Dill, B.Ed, M.Ed.
Published Works
- stay up: racism, resistance, and reclaiming Black freedom (2023), Author
- Reconciliation in Practice (2019), Contributor
- The Great Black North: Contemporary African Canadian Poetry (2013), Contributor
- The Black Prairie Archives (2020), Contributor
- Welcome to the Cypher (2021), Author
- Little Black Lives Matter (2023), Author
Khodi Dill is among the nation’s most articulate and compelling voices in anti-racist education. Renowned anti-racism educator Dr. Verna St. Denis calls him “a superb voice for current social and political issues that affect us all.” Known widely for his riveting spoken word poetry tackling issues of social justice, he has emerged as one of the most relatable, powerful, and eloquent writers and public speakers of our time on this subject.
Khodi Dill’s highly anticipated nonfiction book stay up: racism, resistance, and reclaiming Black freedom (Annick Press) will be available in the fall of 2023, and explores issues of race, identity, and culture. From the publisher: stay up is “An incisive, innovative, and inviting take on fighting oppression and fighting for racial justice…Using a compelling mix of memoir, cultural criticism, and anti-oppressive theory, Khodi Dill breaks down how white supremacy functions in North America and gives readers tools to understand how racism impacts their lives. From dismantling internalized racism, decolonizing schools, joining social justice movements and more, Dill lays out paths to personal liberation and social transformation.”
Khodi Dill is now available for public lectures, performances, and workshops with schools and educational organizations (staff and/or students) on the subjects of anti-racism and anti-oppression, ranging from introductory lessons on social constructions of race to the pressing matter of Black lives in the North American ethos. Dill explores anti-racist education through an intersectional and decolonizing lens, with a focus on solidarity across oppressed groups. Khodi Dill unpacks these weighty topics with an uncanny diplomatic candor, centering honesty, growth, and the dignity of all participants in his conversations. With his extensive background as a spoken word artist and an emcee, he argues that a passionate pursuit of the arts is integral for effective social justice planning within education.
An emerging children’s author, Khodi Dill is thrilled to announce the release of his debut picture book, Welcome to the Cypher, exploring the transformative power of hip hop music (Annick Press, 2021). Order the book here or wherever you buy books. Dill’s second picture book, Little Black Lives Matter, is also widely available now (Seven Stories Press/Triangle Square, 2023).
Contact Khodi Dill today for a live or virtual keynote, guest talk, interview, Q and A, workshop, panel presentation, or a reading with your school or organization. A wide range of speaking topics are highlighted below, and can be tailored upon request. Book today using the contact page, and experience the power of Khodi Dill’s insightful social commentary to illuminate and connect audiences in the pursuit of social justice for all.
Testimonials
Dr. Verna St. Denis, University of Saskatchewan:
“A superb voice for current social and political issues that affect us all.”
Sarah Laverty, Teacher
“Khodi has a genuine, gentle approach that makes you feel at ease when discussing heavy-hitting topics. His calm, collected responses to challenging viewpoints shows that he understands that in order to grow and move forward, we need to do so through conversation, learning, and empathy.”
Dr. Sheelah McLean, Anti-Racist Teacher, Researcher, Scholar:
I have worked closely with Khodi Dill for over a decade on building Anti-Racist education in Saskatchewan. His mastery of spoken word, music and the arts in combination with his theoretical knowledge provide audiences of youth and adults with a deep engagement in social justice.
Dr. Marc Spooner, University of Regina:
“Khodi’s engaging visit was perfect– informative, insightful, and heartfelt– we learned a lot and it was so inspirational for us all.”
Dr. Karina Vernon, University of Toronto:
“Khodi Dill’s voice — on the page and on the stage — sounds an electrifying call for justice. His poems about the entanglements of land, race, colonialism and the environment move with the urgency of a social emergency and the compassion of a poet’s great beating heart.”
Speaking Topics
- Anti-Racism 101
- Anti-Oppressive Education Reform
- The Anti-Oppressive English Language Arts Classroom
- Dangerous Space: How “Safe Spaces” Enable Racism
- Social Constructions of Race in North America
- Black Lives Matter: What does it mean for Canadian Teachers?
- Unpacking White Supremacy in Schools
- Bullying, Mental Health, and Social Justice – A Connecting Conversation
- Teaching for Intersectional Social Justice
- Teaching Social Justice through the Arts and Creativity
- Youth Empowerment through Social Justice
Khodi Dill: Public Speaker and Performing Artist
Past Engagements
- University of Saskatchewan Student Teachers Antiracism Society – Keynote Presenter – 2022
- Peel District School Board – Anti-Racism Guest Speaker/Presenter – 2021-2022
- The FOLD, Festival of Literary Diversity – Safe Space and Anti-Racism Workshop Presenter – 2021
- SUNTEP Anti-Racism Education Forum, Guest Lecture and Performance – 2020
- Saskatoon Teachers’ Association Convention, Session Panelist – 2020
- Saskatoon Public Schools Common Department Meeting: Session Presenter – 2020
- Indigenous Poets Society, Poetry Feature and Q and A – 2020
- University of Regina, Guest Talk with Dr. Marc Spooner, Professor – 2020
- Contemplative Arts Festival of Saskatoon, Keynote Panelist and Workshop Presenter – 2019
- Saskatchewan Association for Community Education, Guest Speaker – 2019
- Saskatoon Teachers Association Convention, Session Presenter – 2016
- Western Canadian Association for Student Teaching, Session Presenter – 2015
- Northern Area Teachers’ Association Conference, Keynote Speaker – 2014
- Great Plains College Staff Gathering, Workshop and Session Presenter – 2015
- TEDx University of Saskatchewan, TED Talk – 2012
- Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, Finalist Performer – 2012
- University of Saskatchewan Student Teacher Anti-Racism Society EraceISM Conference, Session Presenter – 2011
- Saskatoon Poetry Slam Championships – Champion Performer – 2010
Media
Thank you. To book Khodi Dill for your school or organization visit the contact page.
The Grey Griot 