It is London in the year 1802. Aminata Diallo, the narrator, is an elderly black woman sitting among a group of abolitionists. She is reminiscing about her life—and the fact that there must be a reason she has lived so long, despite the terrors she experienced. The abolitionists tell her that she is to meet King George and help them change the course of history. Aminata longs to be in the presence of those she loves: “the only things I dream of are the things I can’t have—children and grandchildren to love, and parents to care for me” (3).

One day Aminata is taken to a London school where she is asked about her life. Known as “Meena Dee” in the newspapers, she introduces herself here in her own words:

“I am Aminata Diallo, the daughter of Mamadu Diallo and Sira Kulibali, born in the village of Bayo, three moons by foot from the Grain Coast in West Africa. I am a Bamana. And a Fula […] I suspect that I was born in 1745, or close to it” (3).

She is writing an account of her life and, per request of the abolitionists, a short paper against slavery. She then describes her physical appearance—rich dark skin, hard-to-read eyes, a height of five feet two inches, a brand above her right breast, and crescent moons sculpted into her cheeks.