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In 2012, I developed the salon style series ‘Black in Berlin’ as a reaction to the appropriation of Afropean culture by the German, English- language mainstream media. The experience of being Black in Berlin can oftentimes be polarizing. The lingering effects of African colonization that are ever present in the city mixed with the inherent alienation of “representing” the other creates a complex day to day existence. This paradox does not have to be internalized. The Black in Berlin Salon is an opportunity to dialogue issues, foster community and generate conversation with the willing to listen. The salon encourages people of all races and backgrounds to participate in the discussion but privileges the voices of the African diasporic. In 2016, the format was revised to feature a guest interview related to the topic that served as a pre-cursor to the open conversation. Each session of the Black in Berlin Salon operates loosely around a different theme. The event images below are from the 2016/2017 series.