The group Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland (ISD, Initiative of Black People in Germany) was founded forty years ago. What began in 1985 as a self-organized movement has today become a significant voice in German society. To celebrate its anniversary, the ISD is hosting a day of encounters, reminiscences, and gazes forward in the Haus der Kulturen der Welt.

The event will feature both pioneers of the initiative and protagonists of the younger generation. They will remember origins, discuss today’s situation, and develop joint perspectives for the future: What is necessary for Black voices in Germany to be perceived more clearly? What strategies are needed to make Black lived realities more visible, to unite struggles in local and global contexts, and to open new paths of solidarity?

The program ranges from film screenings to performances, from panels to histories, from present and future Black encounters to artistic contributions. The event is a celebration of the ISD’s unusual anniversary and an invitation to think together, network, and party.