aliu, akim

Presents a graphic novel memoir of former professional hockey player and activist Akim Aliu, discussing growing up as a mixed-race child of Nigerian and Ukrainian Canadian immigrants, falling in love with the sport of hockey, and experiencing racism, hostility, and friendship during his rise to becoming a professional hockey player. Reveals the power structures in professional hockey that allowed discriminatory and racist coaches to control the system, in which some players were allowed to succeed while others, like Akim, were stifled at the height of their careers. Also discusses how Akim spoke out against the abuses he suffered and formed an organization to bring greater diversity to the sport of hockey.

"Akim Aliu--also known as 'Dreamer'--is a Ukrainian-Nigerian-Canadian professional hockey player. . . . 'Dreamer' tells Akim's . . . story, from being the only Black child in his Ukrainian community, to his family struggling to make ends meet while living in Toronto, to confronting the racist violence he often experienced both on and off the ice"--Provided by publisher.