Overview

Boy A true story of love, loss, survival and finding your voice. Before the roads. Before the raves. Before the reputation. Before the man. There was just the boy. A black child raised in a white seaside town, searching for somewhere-anywhere-to belong. This is a journey through the silence, the secrets, and the scars. From fishing trips and foster care to carnival, sound systems, fistfights, and murders, Boy is a raw, unforgettable memoir of identity, abandonment, and the power of being seen. Told with brutal honesty, unexpected humour, and deep reflection, this is more than a story about growing up - it's about rising up. A reflective therapy for me, the writer and an invitation for you, the reader, to walk every step of the journey with me. It's about finding light where there was none, and a voice where there was silence. Some memories leave bruises while some build armour. Some do both. If I'd known I'd grow up feeling like I had no identity... Abused by those I loved... Witnessing death first-hand... Thinking I was the only Black kid in the world... Feeling like I didn't belong - anywhere... You know what? I wouldn't change a damn thing. Because all of it made me who I am today. When you find the boy.... you will discover the man! Fredi

Full Product Details

9781919214603

Table of Contents

Reviews

This Black man shares his vulnerability with striking honesty, inviting us into the world of BOY - a child who faced isolation, racism, and sexual abuse before the age of eleven. Estranged from his birth family and growing up as the only Black child in the fishing town of Deal, Kent, the boy knows little of his Nigerian roots or culture. Nwaka writes in a conversational style, laying bare his search for identity amidst early trauma. This is an absolutely moving and emotional page-turner. Marcia M - Writer and Publisher This book was gripping from the very first page. It felt like a powerful testimony of how a boy grew to a man. The story just flowed and was an easy read. I just couldn't put it down, the writing style was so gripping. When I read chapter 5 - The Things We Don't Talk About, I ended it with one word, WOW! It was truly touching, sad and emotional. i found it relatable, the way abuse affects you as you become an adult, I never does leave you! ( reader review)

Author Information

Fredi Nwaka is an award winning British filmmaker, actor, writer, producer, motivational speaker and former rapper, whose life story embodies transformation, resilience and creative leadership. Born and raised in South London, Nwaka spent part of his early life in foster care in Kent. As a teenager, he became involved in gang culture, a period marked by violence, loss and survival. These experiences later shaped his mission to inspire others and to tell authentic stories of urban life through film and mentorship.Fredi began his career in music as a reggae MC on the UK sound-system circuit before transitioning into hip hop. Under his stage name Fredi Kruga, he became the only UK rapper ever signed to a U.S. label affiliated with the Wu-Tang Clan. He toured extensively, performing alongside major international artists, before eventually finding his true calling in film and storytelling.In the film world, Nwaka has established himself as a powerful creative force. As an actor, he has appeared in films such as Dead Man Running (alongside 50 Cent) and numerous independent UK productions. As a writer, director and producer, he has founded several production companies - including Nwaka Studios and Are We Dead Yet Films - through which he has produced more than a dozen feature and short films. His notable works include On The Other Foot (2022), a thought-provoking film exploring race and identity in modern Britain, and more recentlyJafaican ( starring Peter Andre, Oliver Samuels, Sizla Kalonhi, Wil Johnson).Beyond entertainment, Fredi Nwaka uses his platform for social impact. Drawing on his personal journey from street life to success, he works with young people, ex-offenders and vulnerable communities through mentorship, workshops and storytelling projects. He founded H.E.A.L Daily CIC (How Emotions Affect Life), a community initiative promoting mental health awareness, emotional intelligence and positive role modelling. His outreach and advocacy have earned him national recognition, including being named among the Top 50 Black Game Changers in the UK and a nomination for the Positive Role Model Award at the National Diversity Awards.Fredi Nwaka's story is one of redemption and reinvention - a testament to how lived experience can be transformed into art and social change. Today, he continues to create powerful films, champion diversity in media, and mentor the next generation of storytellers. His mission is simple but profound: to change narratives, uplift communities, and prove that no past defines your future. He has also set up his Publishing House Nwaka Publishing which will spotlight stories from marginalised communities. Marcia M Spence - Writer, Publisher, and Storytelling ConsultantMarcia M Spence is an accomplished writer, publisher, and storytelling consultant dedicated to empowering others to share their lived experiences with truth and authenticity. As the founder of Marcia M Publishing House Ltd and director of a thriving publishing consultancy, she supports aspiring and established authors through every stage of the publishing journey - from idea to book launch.A passionate advocate for ethical storytelling and inclusion, Marcia has built a strong reputation for helping individuals and organisations tell their stories with purpose. Her own books, Geraldine's Pearl and Go Back and Get It, explore themes of resilience, legacy, and self-discovery, offering readers a heartfelt look at the power of transformation through adversity.In addition to her publishing work, Marcia is the Editor of ASPIRE Magazine, a lifestyle publication that celebrates ambition, creativity, and personal growth. Through her writing workshops, coaching programmes, and speaking engagements, she inspires writers and changemakers to use storytelling as a tool for empowerment and healing.Marcia's dedication to personal growth and lifelong learning shines through her initiatives such as Our Stories Matter, which supports intergenerational and multicultural voices, and her work with Marcia M Publishing House, which champions diverse, authentic narratives from underrepresented communities.Known for her warmth, integrity, and visionary leadership, Marcia M Spence continues to inspire others to write, publish, and live with purpose - transforming stories into legacies that will endure for generations.

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