HIGH TEA

Sunday, June 7 from 10 AM to 11 AM

Facilitator: Eshe Mercer-James

This gathering is part of Jamii’s June Cycle and reflects the 2026 theme, It Feels Right. This month, The Jamii Coffee turns its focus to British high tea as a ritual shaped by empire, class, and everyday care.

Guided by Eshe Mercer-James, participants gather around tea, freshly baked goods, and finger sandwiches to explore how this familiar practice emerged through colonial trade routes and the influence of the East India Company. The session traces how tea moved across continents and became woven into British identity, reshaping economies and social life across the empire.

The gathering also examines how tea rituals developed across different social settings, from aristocratic afternoon tea to working-class high tea, including Victorian traditions of reading tea leaves. These practices offer insight into social hierarchy, gender roles, and belonging, while also reminding us of tea’s role as a shared pause and a gesture of care.

Eshe Mercer-James has taught literature at York and Trent Universities and works with the Canadian Language Museum. Her PhD dissertation, Framing Standard and Dialect in Black Women’s Novels (2021), was nominated for the Mary McEwan Memorial Award for feminist scholarship. She brings a deep care for storytelling, history, and accessible conversation into this gathering.

This The Jamii Coffee session welcomes all who are curious to listen, reflect, and share.

Spots are limited. Registration is required for each The Jamii Coffee gathering.

Support free community arts

Jamii keeps workshops free so everyone can take part, without financial barriers. If you’re able, you can support our $15 for 15 Years campaign and help us reach $15,000 by December 15 for Jamii’s future programs at The Jamii Hub. Your donation moves the goal forward and is eligible for a charitable tax receipt. Donate here now.

Jamii’s Cycle Programs are sponsored by Canada Council for the Arts, Toronto Arts Council, TD Ready Commitment, Metcalf Foundation, Rama Gaming House, and Charitable Gaming.