The Little Mermaid’s real Black History

Discover the real African history behind The Little Mermaid and the books to prove it!

Join us for a powerful, interactive presentation that dives deep into the untold African origins of The Little Mermaid and the wider issue of racial misrepresentation in film and media.

Led by renowned historian Tony Warner (Black History Walks) and scholar Dr Michelle Asantewathe (In Search of Mami Wata), this event explores how African stories and legends have been rebranded by Hollywood, often stripped of their cultural roots and repackaged for mainstream audiences. With the release of a Black version of The Little Mermaid, we’ll uncover how these shifts reflect deeper global tensions around race, identity and storytelling.

This exciting free presentation will cover how Hollywood has long profited from whitewashed versions of African history and mythology, and will explore ancient African civilisations that thrived before European colonisation. It will also examine the cultural links between Africa, Brazil, Cuba, Nigeria, Panama and even Streatham, offering a truly global context. We’ll address the backlash to the idea of a Black mermaid, asking who exactly is saying ‘we don’t want one’ and why. The event will also tackle the damaging role of so-called ‘sell-out’ historians, the ongoing erasure of Black contributions to culture and whether Black goddesses and white patriarchy can truly coexist on screen. There will also be a focus on African-centred children’s media and the systemic challenges faced when trying to screen positive Black films in mainstream venues.

In addition to the main talk, optional activities may include Mami Wata-themed children’s sessions with music and storytelling, wellness walks with guided meditation and creative writing for adults inspired by African folklore.

Don’t miss this eye-opening afternoon that blends history, media critique and cultural celebration—perfect for ages 7 and up!

This talk is part of the Fulham Palace Black History 365 event series, where we re-examine historical narratives and bring to the forefront the voices of those who have been marginalised.

About the speakers

Dr Michelle Asantewa is the author of In Search of Mami Wata: Narratives and Images of African Water Spirits. She is also the convenor of the increasingly popular Osun river festival on 10 August 2025, as featured on the BBC Sunday Morning show 10 August 2023.

Tony Warner is Chair of the African Odysseys film programme, which has shown African diaspora films once a month for 17 years at the BFI Southbank. Due to systemic racism, the BFI ignored a 17,000-strong petition to keep African Odysseys and cancelled the popular programme. It is now taking place across London.

Event details:

• Doors open at 13.30 with the talk scheduled to begin at 14.00.
• This talk is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• This is a free event, donations are gladly accepted.
• This event is part of the Fulham Palace Black History 365 event series in collaboration with Black History Walks.
• This event is suitable for ages 7+. Children must be accompanied at all times.
• Food and drink are not permitted in Bishop Sherlock’s room.