B(L)ACK TO THE FUTURE. EUROPEAN CITIZENS OF AFRICAN DESCENT

Introductory remarks and moderation: Robert Berkeley, curator of B(l)ack to the Future

Panellists:
Miriam Ajayi, research assistant at Humboldt-University, Berlin
Benjamina Dadzie, blogger and student, Italy
Nicole Grégoire, researcher at The National Fund for Scientific Research, Belgium
Mireille Ntwa Ngosso, first district counsellor with African roots, Vienna, Austria
Johny Pitts, journalist, English television presenter, writer and photographer, UK
Marie-Charlotte Tatepo, activist, Belgium

Is there a Black European identity? If there is, can it be described? If not, why not?
Europe is ethnically diverse – always has been and always will be. This in itself is not a problem – particularly for those who live in Europe’s major cities. Neighbours and compatriots have ancestry drawn from all over the world, different religious traditions, different histories, but a shared future. The problem is that power and resources are not fairly shared among all citizens. Too often in Europe one’s ethnicity, religion and/or history is a marker of exclusion and disenfranchisement. This remains too often true for the estimated 15 million people of African descent living in Europe.

This project seeks to map the shared and unique experiences of people of African descent in European states, build new solidarities, engage European citizens of African descent in debate and discussion with others about our shared future, and plot key steps on a journey to equality and inclusion for people of African descent across Europe.