"The Letters: Postmark Prejudice in Black and White"
Read about it in Canada's History Magazine
Upcoming events:
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Sunday, February 15, 2026 2:00 pm
Ulyssean Society, 15 McMurrich Street Thursday, February 19, 2026 1:00 pm on Zoom CFUW Kanata Members Event Wednesday, February 25, 2026 7:00 pm North Toronto Historical Society Northern District Library, 40 Orchard View Blvd., 2nd Floor 
White's novel to be taught at University of TorontoTORONTO – July 9, 2025: Decorated Canadian playwright, poet, and University of Toronto professor, Dr. George Elliott Clarke has decided to teach Sheila White's "The Letters: Postmark Prejudice in Black and White" in his African-Canadian Literature course in the fall.
White’s biographical novel will be the focus of two Tuesday evening lectures on Oct. 7 and 14, 6 pm to 9 pm. Clarke will be sharing lecture duties with Ms. Titi Aiyegbusi an Afro-Canadian literary scholar and graduate student in English at U of T, who is one year away from completing her dissertation. Clarke says he anticipates his teaching partner will “find Ms. White's semi-experimental treatment of the courtship between her Black father and Caucasian mother interesting.” The award-winning professor says he deems White’s work to be “of fine, literary--and socio-political—value.” He encouraged Aiyegbusi to use it in her dissertation, noting the scholar’s “expertise in AfroCan Women's life-writing.” Aiyegbusi has written a fine review of The Letters that will "most likely" be appearing in an academic journal, Clarke says. White's father, Billy White, is the brother of famed Canadian contralto Portia White, one of many colourful characters in this DEI romance novel, based on letters, a diary, and artefacts saved by the author’s mother, Vivian, throughout her life. “I’m honouring the history of Canadian trailblazers,” said White, of her book, which has garnered great reviews. “I am thrilled that The Letters is a title on the reading list at this incredibly prestigious university on recommendation from one of Canada’s leading literary lights.” "The Letters: Postmark Prejudice in Black and White" [2023, Yorkland Publishing] is available from yorklandpublishing.com, and all major booksellers online as well as libraries. |
Professor George Elliott Clarke, (O.C.), teaches "The Letters" in his African Canadian Literature course at University of Toronto. Photo: Kathy Grant
Sheila with historian Kathy Grant and Prof. Clarke. Photo: Kathy Grant
Students with guest lecturer Tita Aiyegbusi, right.
A well-attended event and many positive reviews after Sheila's talk in Toronto (Scarborough). 16/09/25
A full house for Sheila at PROBUS Bradford
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Sheila on TVO's "The Agenda"
February 26, 2024
Article from September-October 2025 issue of Broadview Magazine, the United Church of Canada's national publication
Sheila spoke with Rev. Paul Dillman as his guest at Riverside United Church in Ottawa (October 2023)
Heather Reisman, CEO of Indigo, arranged for Sheila to appear in flagships Toronto-area stores.
Historic items relevant to her book accompany Sheila's appearances at bookstores like Indigo.
Receiving a Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal in Nova Scotia in 2022. Sheila received a King Charles III Coronation Medal in Ontario in 2025.
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Betty and Barry Hitchcock with Sheila at Runnymede Library. They actually knew her parents, the main characters of her novel. Barry is the only surviving member of the Golden Mile Kiwanis Club, where Sheila's father was a trailblazer. Barry learned about "The Letters" from an article he read in Canada's History Magazine.
An engaged, avid reader, Orpha Thrasher, age 103
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In the media:
In this CKCU-FM "Special Blend" interview, Sheila speaks at length to Maria Hawkins about coming to Ottawa. Interview starts at 19:16 (October 16, 2023)
A thirteen-and-a-half minute discussion about The Letters and the Ottawa launch. (October 7, 2023)
Article: "Author shares uplifting tale ..." by Nelle Oosterom
Certificates:
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As mentioned in the House of Commons:
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Vintage Audio from 1968:
These audio clips demonstrate the musical talent, public speaking and song-leading skills of the real Bill "Billy" White. He got groups singing four-part harmony in a matter of minutes, and equated this to harmony among peoples.
The Exhibit of Artifacts
A live event hosted by Friends of East Gwillimbury Library
"The best ever!" enthuses one attendee.
View the Ottawa launch on YouTube
Gallery
Commendations:
Sheila has a history in race relations going back four decades. As a newspaper columnist in 1984 in North York, Sheila wrote about prejudice from a personal perspective. A few years later she was working for the mayor developing and advancing race relations programming.
