This special event brings together contributors to the new book about James Baldwin for a talk with Q an A in the building which bears a blue plaque to the trailblazing African American in Hackney.

Baldwin came to Hackney in 1985 and visited the building which was then named the CLR James library. The Nubian Jak blue plaque was sponsored by Black History Walks and Jacaranda Books. It celebrates not only James Baldwin but also local Black British Civil Rights activists and is part of Black History Walks efforts to highlight the Black presence in London’s streets.

Pick up a signed copy of the new book, Encounters with James Baldwin, a wide-ranging volume of short essays, reflections, interviews and poetry. This moving collection demonstrates the significant legacy of the writer and activist who spoke truth to power during the era of the fight for Black civil liberties in the US, and after.

Over 30+ major Black contributors reveal the influence of Baldwin’s thought, speech and writing to their personal journeys and their awareness of the need for social justice.

The book celebrates the centenary of Baldwin’s birth. With an introduction by Stella Dadzie, edited by Kadija George Sesay & Cheryl Robson for Supernova Books, an imprint of Aurora Metro. www.aurorametro.com

Other contributors include:

Lord Victor Adebowale; Toyin Agbetu; Fred D’Aguiar; Rosanna Amaka; Michelle Yaa Asantewa; Eugen Bacon; Lindsay Barrett; Gabriella Beckles-Ray; Alan Bell; Selina Brown; Michael Campbell; Thomas Glave, Sonia Grant; Zita Holbourne; Rashida Ismaili Abu Bakr; Paterson Joseph; Pete Kalu; Roy McFarlane; Ronnie McGrath; Michael Mcmillan; Tony Medina; Bill V Mullen; Nducu wa Ngugi; Lola Oh; Ewaure X. Osayande; Nii Ayikwei Parkes; Anton Phillips; Ray Shell; SuAndi; Tade Thompson; Patrick Vernon; Tony Warner