Cansel Kiziltepe (left to right, SPD), Senator for Labor, Social Services, Equality, Integration, Diversity and Anti-Discrimination; Peggy Piesche, an expert on anti-Black racism; and Lina Mitschke, executive director of Each One Teach One (EOTO) e. V., are sitting together following the opening of the Black Communities Center.
© dpa
Berlin now has its first Black Communities Center. Berlin’s Senator for Diversity and Anti-Discrimination, Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD), opened the facility in the Wedding district.
According to her, a space that is unique in Germany has been created for exchange, education, visibility and participation among Black people and people of African descent.
"A place that was long overdue and for which many people have fought for a long time," said Kiziltepe. Black people and those with African roots have long been part of Berlin. "They just haven't had the space they deserve until now." The center will also contribute to addressing the colonial past and current forms of racism. The center cost 10.5 million euros to build and was funded by the state, the federal government and lottery funds.
A wide range of events is planned here. The space will house a library, community groups and counseling services. Representatives of the sponsoring association and other stakeholders explained that the goal is to bring Black perspectives more strongly into the public discourse while also creating a safe space. They lamented what they see as widespread anti-Black racism in society. "Black, African and Afro-diasporic" people are facing increasing pressure and, in some cases, violence. "This makes this building all the more a symbol of recognition for these people," said Lina Mitschke from the sponsoring organization Each One Teach One (Eoto).