Programme / Events
Regular Programmes
Machst du mit?
Discussion group with Benjamin
“Machst du mit?” is a space for connection and exchange for all Black and Afro-diasporic people—a space where everything that finds no room elsewhere can be expressed and shared.
We place great importance on reflecting upon and critically questioning prevailing societal power structures. Given the interconnectedness of many power dynamics in our society, intersectional perspectives are essential, as Black people and members of the African diaspora are frequently subjected to multiple forms of discrimination and oppression simultaneously (e.g., racism, ableism, (hetero- and cis-)sexism, classism, homo-, bi-, and transphobia, among others).
Our goal is to provide fresh impetus, highlight key aspects, and foster exchange. We aim to create a foundation that makes it easier to place greater trust—and confidence—in both others and oneself. The experiences and expertise of the entire group offer an opportunity to strengthen our own identity and build our own personal resources.
Benjamin (he/they) facilitates the discussion groups. He has lived in Berlin since 2012, is a psychologist working with children, adolescents, and adults.
The discussion group is conducted in spoken German, is aimed at members of the Black community, and takes place in person at Forum Brasil (Berlin-Kreuzberg).
Black Spectrum
Discussion group for Black neurodivergent individuals
Black & Afrodiasporan neurodivergent people are not only often underdiagnosed or diagnosed late, but are also faced with additional hurdles, stereotypes and ascriptions in a white, neuronormative majority society on a daily basis. Even in Black or neurodiverse safer spaces and communities, it is difficult to feel a full sense of belonging, to arrive or to find community and understanding.
We want to offer a safer space for open and relaxed exchange, for connecting with other Black neurodivergent people, and for reflecting on experiences, exploring our history (or histories), and imagining hopes, desires, and perspectives.
There are three different ways to participate:
- Group Talk (Hybrid)
In this format, you are invited to join a discussion group. Facilitated by Nicole, we talk about important topics affecting Black neurodivergent people. Past topics have included money, masking, and mutual aid.
- Hangout (Hybrid)
In this format, you are invited to simply stare into space, bring along your craft projects, soothing objects, and/or noise-canceling headphones, and just share the space with other Black neurodivergent people. Facilitated by Nicole.
- Care Praxis (Online)
Tessa invites you to explore “care” as a practice through conversation, reflection, or hands-on activity. This is a new project for 2026; potential future topics include caregiving responsibilities, family and community, self-care, everyday tasks and housework, and practical ways to help ourselves and others.
This Sharing Circle’s main language will be spoken English. The offering is for neurodivergent* members of the Black community.
*Neurodiversity is the spectrum of variations in individual brain functions and behavioral characteristics. Neurodivergent describes individuals whose neurocognitive brain functions differ from those that society defines as within the norm (i.e. “neurotypical”) (for example, autism, ADHD, dyspraxia, OCD, Tourette’s syndrome (TS), bipolar and further). The meeting does not offer therapy or diagnostics but is a place for exchange.
Self-Lab
Self-exploration laboratory
The Self-Lab offers Black people spaces for exploration and empowerment across various dimensions—such as bodywork, self-expression, self-love, creative thinking, and meditation—within a format designed for self-discovery.
Who am I, when I’m allowed to be myself?
Freed from the labels and discrimination imposed by the dominant society, the Self-Lab supports the exploration, discovery, and appreciation of deeply personal paths, potentials, values, thoughts, and abilities.
The Self-Lab accompanies you on your journey. Previous Self-Labs were:
- The Story of Me – Exploring and appreciating your own story/stories or biography with Lena Whooo
- Singen zur Befreiung withMelli Erzuah & Radical Rest im Hier & Jetzt with Daddypuss Rex
- Imaginieren, Visualieren & Afro-Futurismieren withAdyam Tesfamariam
- Mutations – Centered around Collage withIsaiah Lopaz
The Self-Lab is aimed at members of the Black community. and generally takes place in a bilingual format—using both German and English spoken languages—it is held in person at the Forum Brasil (Berlin-Kreuzberg). The content is developed by AfroPolitan Berlin in collaboration with Black experts who rotate for each different format.
Lesekreis mit Dzifa
Book Club for Black Literature
Do you know the feeling: You love reading but have no idea what your next book should be? You’ve read a great story and are dying to talk about it, but none of your friends know it? You’ve been meaning to read that one specific book for ages but never quite get around to it? Then this group might be just the thing for you!
We read texts by Black authors and meet to discuss them. Our goal is to engage in conversation, to share what we liked and what we didn’t like, and talk about the various themes that arose while reading. We read anything of interest—novels, short stories, non-fiction, or essays. All texts are available in German and can be found in Berlin’s public libraries. Suggestions for the reading list are welcome.
Dzifa Ametowobla (she/her) is a sociologist (PhD) and computer scientist. She loves reading and good conversations.
Der Lesekreis richtet sich an Angehörige der Schwarzen Community und findet in der Regel deutscher Lautsprache statt, in Präsenz im Forum Brasil (Berlin-Kreuzberg).
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Hinweise
*Mit der Bezeichnung „Für Angehörige der Schwarzen Community“, möchten wir darauf hinweisen, dass diese Workshops und Veranstaltungen ausschließlich an Menschen gerichtet sind, die sich als Schwarz (Black), positionieren (das inkludiert auch afrikanisch, afrodiasporisch, afrodeutsch, afropäisch und weitere Selbstbezeichnungen). Das heißt Menschen, die der afrikanischen Diaspora angehören, jene die Anti-Schwarze Rassismuserfahrungen machen . Um Betroffenen von rassistischer Diskriminierung die Möglichkeit zu geben, ihre Gedanken innerhalb eines sog. „Safer Space“ zu artikulieren, ohne Ausgrenzungen zu erfahren und Bevormundung einer mehrheitlich nicht-Schwarzen Teilnehmer:innenschaft zu vermeiden, gestalten wir gewisse Räume exklusiv.
With the term „For Members of the Black Community” we would like to point out that these workshops and events are aimed exclusively at people who position themselves as Black (this also includes African, Afrodiasporic, Afro-German, Afropean and further self-designations). That means people who are part of the African diaspora, those who experience anti-Black-racism. In order to give racially discriminated Black people an opportunity to articulate their thoughts within a „safer space“, without experiencing exclusion and avoiding the paternalism of a majority of non-Black participants, we create certain spaces exclusively.
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Haus-Hinweise
Für ein gemeinschaftliche miteinander mit unserer direkten Nachbarschaft bitten wir zudem auch folgende Hinweise zu beachten:
- Fahrräder bitte nur am Forum Brasil Fahrradständer vor dem Haus anschließen und nicht im Innenhof (diese Fahrradständer sind nur für Anwohnende).
- Ebenso ist die Sitzecke im Innenhof für Anwohnende und wir müssen darum bitten, sich hier nicht aufzuhalten (auch nicht zum Warten oder in Pausen etc.).
- Insgesamt bitten wir darum, sich im Innenhof nicht allzu lange aufzuhalten und möglichst keinen Lärm zu machen. (Unsere Räumlichkeiten sind schallisoliert, da dürft ihr dann so laut oder leise sein, wie ihr wollt.)
House Notices
For a communal atmosphere with our immediate neighbourhood, we also ask you to take note of the following information:
- Bicycles should only be parked at the Forum Brasil bicycle racks in front of the house and not in the inner courtyard (these racks are for residents only).
- Likewise, the seating area in the inner courtyard is for residents only and we must ask that you do not stay here (not even to wait or during breaks, etc.).
- Overall, we ask that you do not stay in the courtyard for too long and that you do not make any noise there, if possible. (Our rooms are soundproofed, so you can be as loud or as quiet as you like once inside).
