Black Community

Emanuel Odiase is not just another rising star in the boxing world, he’s a symbol of Afro-German excellence, discipline and quiet determination. Born and raised in Heidelberg to a German mother and Nigerian father, the 26-year-old heavyweight boxer stands tall, literally and figuratively, at 203 cm (6 ft 8 in) and weighing 118 kg. His imposing stature in the ring …

Joe Chialo, Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion, has stepped down in protest over deep and controversial budget cuts to the capital’s cultural sector. His resignation, announced on 2 May, comes after months of mounting criticism and concern from artists, institutions and the wider public over drastic reductions in cultural funding. Chialo, a member of the conservative CDU and …

Germany is observing Black History Month (BHM) this February with a range of events celebrating the culture, history and contributions of people of African descent. Originally an American tradition, the Month has steadily gained recognition in Germany, with various organizations and communities hosting programs that highlight both historical narratives and contemporary issues faced by Black people in the country. In …

This November, the city of Erlangen marks the 10th anniversary of the Black History Weeks (BHW), a festival dedicated to honoring and exploring the contributions of people of African descent. Launched in 2015 by Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a former city councilor in Erlangen and member of the European Parliament until 16 July 2024, BHW Erlangen aims to raise awareness of …

After a long struggle, Berlin’s Peters Allee will be renamed Maji Maji Allee and Anna Mungunda Allee on Friday (23 August). The previous name, Petersallee, honoured Carl Peters, founder of the colony of German East Africa, who was notorious for his crimes against Africans. The new street names commemorate two significant figures: Anna Mungunda, a Namibian national heroine who fought …

The biggest umbrella body of African associations in Germany is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The African Network of Germany (TANG), comprising more than 900 non-profit groups and individuals, is not rolling out the drums only for its accomplishments to mark the event. It also wants to use the milestone to recognise people who are doing great things for the benefit …

The ADAN Career Day 2023 will take place for the 4th time in a row on 2 June at the IHK in Frankfurt am Main. This year, the Afro-German initiative, in partnership with Linkedin, pursues an important goal by aiming to consolidate its status as the largest hybrid career fair for BPoC (Black and people of colour) in Europe. More …

The Sierra Leone Community Berlin Brandenburg e.V. (SLCBB) has launched a fundraising campaign for a community centre in the federal capital. According to the chairperson of the SLCBB, Daphne Decker-Hora, the association is seeking to acquire a 50 square metres (m2) property in Berlin that will function as a meeting point for Sierra Leoneans and their friends as well as …

The Black Joy Bike Parade took place on 26 June in Berlin. The bicycle demonstration through the German capital city was meant to collectively remind society that the Black community would not let everyday racism take away their joy in life, the organisers said.Miriam, founder of Zewdi, the event’s organisers, writes to participants and indeed the Black community about this …

In an exclusive interview with The African Courier, Godfrey Evurulobi, a graduate of international business from the University of Applied Sciences Cologne, narrates how he started and he talks about the nursing care sector in Germany and why his companies are currently recruiting Africans. The Nigerian-born entrepreneur also talks about his successes and challenges so far, and he gives tips to Africans planning to start a business in the country.

Politicians of African descent from the length and breadth of Germany and of all political colourations will gather in Berlin on Saturday (9 July) for a meet-up with members of the Black community. The event, tagged “The way into the parliaments – networking elected officials of African origin” (Der Weg in die Parlamente – Mandatsträger:innen afrikanischer Herkünfte vernetzen), is a …

A new library in honour of Theodor Wonja Michael will be opened on Saturday 19 February in Cologne as part of activities marking this year’s Black History Month. The Theodor Wonja Michael Library was set up by the Afro-Diasporic association Sonnenblumen Community Development Group e. V. Michael, who died in October 2019 at the age of 94, was one of …

In November 2021, Sangano Black Business Hub, a collective initiative from diaspora and Afro-German entrepreneurs in Germany, launched its annual survey for 2021/2022. The survey seeks to understand the entrepreneurship experience of Black-led businesses and start-ups in Germany and Europe. The survey asks a series of questions about entrepreneurship challenges, the scale of barriers to entry for new start-ups and …

Dr Joy Alemazung has won the election for mayor of the city of Heubach, near Stuttgart, with an outstanding result on Sunday. The Cameroon-born politician, who ran as an independent candidate, won a whopping 66.22% of the popular vote, resoundingly defeating more than six other contestants. Speaking to the inhabitants and the press on Sunday evening after his election, the …

The city of Bad Dürkheim, the heartland of the wine-producing region of southwest Germany, and its Carnival Society “Derkemer Grawler” have named Togbe Céphas Bansah as the Golden Winemaker 2022. The Ghanaian traditional ruler is being honoured for “realising many aid projects and thus in fact improving the living conditions of his people”, the Carnival Society said in a press …

A Nigerian, who has been living in Germany for more than four decades, has been awarded the country’s national honour, Bundesverdienstkreuz. Akinbode Akinbiyi, a Berlin-based photographer, author and curator, was one of the 14 citizens conferred with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland) by President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on 1 October to mark …

African Mums in Deutschland, a support group for African women in Germany founded by Maame Adwoa Dentaa Amoo, has been announced as one of the winners of the 2021 Facebook Community Accelerator Program. The Community Accelerator is part of Facebook’s Community Leadership Program, a global initiative that invests in people building online communities. The Program helps leaders harness the power …

The new German federal parliament is more diverse than ever. For the first time, there are four Afro-German members in the Bundestag, as well as more women, younger people and people with a migration background. Three of the Afro-German politicians won direct mandates, which means they won the highest number of votes cast in their constituencies. “Four Afro-Germans in the …

Dr Karamba Diaby, representing the eastern German constituency of Halle (Saxony-Anhalt), has won his third election into the German parliament (Bundestag). The Senegalese-born member of the SPD, who won a direct mandate on Sunday, took to social media to thank his supporters for the resounding victory. “What an evening! “I am still overwhelmed by the great trust that the people …

June 6, 2021 is a day that will leave a mark in the minds of members of the Kenyan community in Germany. Adorned in their ‘Sunday best’, traditional attires, one by one, they logged into the long-awaited online event to meet and greet their new Kenyan ambassador to Germany, His Excellency Thomas Boniface Amolo. The event, organised by Kenyan Women …