SURREY, B.C. — The City of Surrey is hosting a free virtual speaker session next week that will explore Afrofuturism through art, storytelling, and lived experience.
Afro-Latina artist, educator, and author Ruby Smith Díaz will lead the talk, titled Afrofuturism: A Vision by Us, For Us, on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event will be held online via Microsoft Teams and is open to the public at no cost.
The session is part of Surrey’s ongoing speaker series focused on culture, equity, and community dialogue. Díaz will examine themes of identity, belonging, and social justice through the lens of Afrofuturism — a cultural movement that blends Black history, creativity, and future-focused imagination.
Born in Edmonton on Treaty 6 Territory to Chilean and Jamaican parents, Díaz has spoken publicly about her experiences of marginalization and how they shaped her artistic and advocacy work. She is the author of the bestselling book Searching for Serafim, which tells the story of Serafim “Joe” Fortes, a pioneering Black lifeguard who became a cultural icon in Vancouver despite facing racism.
Her artistic work has been featured at major institutions across Canada, including the Vancouver International Film Festival, the Contemporary Art Gallery of Vancouver, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Mount Saint Vincent University Art Gallery in Halifax, and TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary.
In addition to her work as an artist and author, Díaz is also the founder of Autonomy Fitness, a body-positive and access-centred personal training program. She has received recognition for her approach to inclusive fitness and community wellness.
The City of Surrey says the speaker series aims to create space for meaningful conversations around equity, representation, and creative expression. Registration is required to attend the virtual event, and participants can sign up through the city’s online booking platform.
