Clive Foster, a Minister from The Meadows, understands that there are legacies within the black communities from the slave trade but also sees the positives too: "I think it's important for us as black people to recognise that we do have a history, yes that history is about slavery but also there is a lot of positive things that black people have contributed to the world, inventors, scientists… in politics, in writers and authors. So I think this needs to be shared amongst our black people today." Clive also looks to a positive future for multi-cultural communities: "That was a terrible injustice and a terrible evil and we have to ensure today that we're still not enslaved in our minds. We are free and I would like to think that in my lifetime, not only are black people fully engaged, fully equal in achieving but why not in my own lifetime see the first black prime minister." Am I really free? The activities over the weekend of the bicentenary include, lectures, debates, exhibitions and music. Sonia Stewart from the Mount Street Church in New Basford has written a poem to reflect her thoughts about the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act 200 years ago. It's called 'Am I really Free?' Journey of discovery Pastor Beason, from Nottingham, visited Capetown in Ghana, on the coast where the slaves were held and shipped out from to learn more about his heritage. "The trip had a great impact on me. It was informative but at the same time very painful to see what some of our forefathers had gone through." Pastor Beason feels the commemoration events are important and encourages everyone in Nottinghamshire to go along. "The celebration this weekend for us is a milestone… parents should take their children and together they should visit the exhibitions and see not just what happened in the past but how we have come a long way and how we can chart the future, I think it's a very important thing." | 
