June is Black Lives Matter Month in Berlin! Hosted by Black Lives Matter Berlin and partner organizations, this month promotes lasting change in our society against racism and celebrates + uplifts Blackness. In true Berlin style, an abundance of events are happening all month long and all over the city. Here is a little guide from AWAC for ways to celebrate and show solidarity. Please be aware that some events are only open to Black people/POCs. This is specified in each event listing. If you are an ally, you can show solidarity through attending events open to everyone, supporting Black/POC owned businesses, and donating to the organizations that make these events possible. Get ready to mark your calendar!
BLACK GOLD Soul Sister Strut and BBQ
Saturday, June 1st, 13:00 – 20:00
Strut begins at Lustgarten, BBQ at 14:30 in Volkspark Friedrichshain
Soul Sisters Berlin began Soul Sister Strut as a gathering for Black womxn to assert their presence in public space by walking together in bold and empowering styles. Soul Sisters states: âWhy we walk: We walk for all those whoâve walked before us. We walk as a declaration of self-care. We walk for love, joy, friendship and empowerment.â The strut continues this year with the theme of BLACK GOLD, so get crafty, go all out, and be prepared to shine in tomorrowâs afternoon sun. The strut is open to all Black people and the BBQ in Volkspark Friedrichshain is open to allies as well.
White Guilt Clean Up Reading Group
Sunday, June 2nd, 16:00 – 18:00
Hopscotch Reading Room, Kurfurstenstr. 14, Kreuzberg
The new book club by White Guilt Clean Up is beginning its first book, From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation by Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor! The group will discuss the introductory chapter of the book at this meeting. Donât have a book and interested in joining? send a message to media.hopscotch@gmail.com for a PDF of the intro. While you are at it, you can order the book in either german or english from that address and support Black/POC owned businesses, specifically the host Siddhartha Lokanandi. Amazon doesnât need your money! This event is open to everyone.
From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation lecture with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor
Wednesday, June 5th, 18:30 – 21:00
Haus der Kulturen der Welt, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee 10, Mitte
Have you joined the book club and canât wait until the end of the month to learn more? Regardless, this event should not be missed! Author and professor Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor will join Loren Balhorn and Katharina PĂŒhl of the Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung to discuss questions of racial equality in the United States, the state of US politics, and answer questions from in and beyond her book. This event is in english with german translation and is open to everyone.
BLACK GIRL* Magic: A Film Series Vol. II
Thursday, June 6th, 19:00 – 22:00
Frauenkreise, Choriner StraĂe 10, Prenzlauer Berg
The film series hosted by White Guilt Clean Up and Diana Arce presents a screening and discussion of short films created by Black womxn* FLTI and their experiences. The resilience and power of creativity in the face of discrimination, injustice and everyday violence is truly magical. So come and see works created by womxn* that celebrate Blackness beyond mainstream tropes and learn how empowering Black Girl Magic can be. This event is open to everyone.
Audream Empowerment Evening
Thursday, June 6th, 18:00 – 20:00
xart splitta, Hasenheide 73, Neukölln
Audream mobile antiracist library and xart splitta are collaborating for an evening of sharing poetry and ideas around the topic of empowerment while centering Black/POC voices. What does empowerment mean to us? How do we empower others? The first half of this event is open for everyone and the second half of the event is open to BlPOC only.
Digital Security Workshop for marginalized folx
Saturday, June 6th, 12:00 – 16:00
The.Word.Berlin, Willmanndamm 4, Schöneberg
This workshop teaches how to safeguard electronic communications from hackers and government surveillance. Learn about encryption and preventing tracking while browsing from a computer or smartphone. This workshop is free but donations are welcomed. Registration is open for up to 15 people and is prioritized for Black people, but POC are welcome to ask for spots. Register via kontakt@blacklivesmatterberlin.de
Black Lives Matter Berlin Month – Kick-Off
Monday, June 10th, 17:00 – 20:00
The.Word.Berlin Willmanndamm 4, 10827 Schoneberg
Black Lives Matter Berlin is planning an evening to celebrate a full month of events. Planning is still in the works, but keep this on your radar and check out the Facebook event page.
AFROLUTION 2019 Literaturfestival – Pan-Africanism Revis[it]ed
Thursday, June 13th – Sunday, June 16th
EOTO e.V. TogostraĂe 76, Wedding
This four-day conference intertwines arts, academy, and activism to examine Pan-Africanism, a crucial movement in the history of decolonization. âPan-Africanism can be described as a transnational intellectual, political and cultural movement that emphasises the solidarity, bonds, shared experiences and intertwined history(s) between people of African descent worldwide. The wordplay on »REVIS[IT]ED« – as a historical review and future-oriented revision.â There are also related events happening around the city, so the official program is useful to have at hand. The event is free, but some workshops have small fees. This event is open to everyone.
Afro_Feministische Zukunftsperspektiven conference
Saturday, June 15th, 10:00 – 19:00
Aquarium am SĂŒdblock, Skalitzer StraĂe 6, Kreuzberg
AfricAvenir International is hosting a conference about Afro-Feminist perspectives on educational and development policies in response to global inequity. Speakers from all over the world, including Diana Arce of AWAC and White Guilt Clean Up will present their research in a full and fascinating day at Aquarium. This event is in english with german translation also offered. This event is also free and open to everyone.
Liederkreis (Song Cycles) concert
Sunday, June 23rd, 18:00 – 21:00
Studio Knutson, AhornstraĂe 6, Steglitz
Opera singer Jeremy Osborne will perform works by Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann. This is an exciting chance to support a Black artist working in the field of classical music. It’s also a chance to get dressed up for an evening of beautiful art and entertainment. Tickets are 10 euros apiece and will be available for purchase at the door. This event is open to everyone.
BIPOC Picknick
Sunday, June 30th, 16:00 – 19:00
Görlizer Park, Kreuzberg
Die Falken Berlin and IN*VISION invite POC for an afternoon of empowerment, love, community care, and delicious food. Bring a blanket and some snacks and hang out with friends or get to know some new ones. It is recommended to RSVP on the Facebook event page. This event is open to POC only.
Black Lives Matter Berlin – Protest March 2019
Friday, July 5th, 17:00 – 22:00
M*straĂe, Mitte
Save the date for this yearâs protest march! Since June is so packed with events throughout Berlin, Black Lives Matter month continues into July. More details will be announced soon, so keep an eye on the event page for updates. This event is open to everyone.