Akim Aliu: Dreamer (Original Graphic Memoir)

Akim Aliu is the son of a Nigerian father and a Ukrainian mother. Born in Nigeria, he spent years of his youth in Africa and Ukraine before moving to Toronto. A hockey prodigy, Akim was drafted into the NHL as a teenager and played for the Calgary Flames. He experienced systemic racism, hazing, and abuse at every level of competitive hockey he played in — from Pee Wee hockey to the NHL — but has never stopped dreaming of a world where every kid, regardless of background, can be accepted for who he or she is (and play hockey, of course).

In May 2020, Akim wrote an article for the Players’ Tribune entitled “Hockey is Not for Everyone,” where he identifies the racism and violence he endured as a Black athlete within the sport of hockey. He has since partnered with the Time to Dream Foundation and the Hockey Diversity Alliance to help their mission to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey.

Greg Anderson Elysée is a Brooklyn born, Haitian American writer, educator, filmmaker, and model. His original comic series Is’nana the Were-Spider is a five-time Glyph Award Winner. Greg’s other work includes Marassa, OneNation: Stronghold published by 133art Publishing; The Torchbearer for Fairsquare Graphics, and has work in the Lion Forge graphic novel collection Puerto Rico Strong and A Wave Blue World's GLAAD Award winning Young Men in Love. Greg’s graphic novel biography Akim Aliu: Dreamer was a 2024 YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens Selection, a 2024 Texas Maverick Reading List Selection, and a top 10 Selection of the 2024 in the Margins Book Award List. A former journalist, Elysée also ran his own online column showcasing independent creators of color and LGBTQ creators. He also wrote for the independent pop culture news website Bleeding Cool. Greg has recently released Hammer: John Henry vs the Robot Apocalypse - Act 1, which has already won 3 Glyph Awards. He lives in Brooklyn.