BlackFest 2025 Literature – Diversity Dialogues Featuring Renowned Author, Artivist Malik Al Nasir, My Slave Roots.’
Join us for as we celebrate the works of renowned, award-winning Liverpool academic, educator, artivist, poet Malik Al Nasir, author of the memoir ‘Letters to Gil.’
This event is proud to present the second book by Malik Al Nasir published by Harper Collins, ‘Searching for My Slave Roots.’
Malik Al Nasir was born in Liverpool to mixed parentage, with a white mother and a black father. Bemused by memories of racist shouts for him to ‘go back to where you came from’ – he came from Liverpool after all – he began to look into his ancestry. This resulting book charts the twists and turns of his journey into the past and explores an untold chapter in both Black and British history. As Malik investigates his roots, he reveals a new history of the transatlantic slave trade and the role of Scottish, Dutch and English merchants.
Malik will be in conversation with Dr Rebeca Loy, who specialises in the field of oppression, and holds a PhD in 'Sociology and Social Policy'. Dr Loy advocates for Sickle Cell awareness, having lost her sister Naomi Loy to the condition, which primarily affects people of Global Majority. She leads diversity and inclusion across National Museums Liverpool as well as being a consultant. In 2023 she was awarded the honour of bein on Northern Power Women's' Future List' (2023).
Malik traced his ancestry through his father Reginald Watsons line back to the sugar cane fields of Demerara in British Guiana. He uncovered new epic tales of enslavement and colonialism within the British Empire. Researching the history for his PhD at University of Cambridge where he has received numerous awards for his work.
This event will be supported and opened by Hayli Kincade a Liverpool based Neo Soul & R&B singer songwriter to uplift spirits! Yusuf Sani will open with some history about Liverpool's history on Transatlantic slave trade.
News From Nowhere will be on hand where you can purchase Malik Al Nasir’s My Slave Roots and Letter’s To Gill.
