Founder11:00
Tallulah Patricia Bär
In June 2023Initiator & Ecosystem Creator · AfroSwissters
Tallulah grew up in Zürich with Ghanaian and Egyptian roots. AfroSwissters grew out of a personal search for belonging and community that began in 2017 under the name TheSwissPanAfrican. She was involved in establishing the ADAN Zürich chapter and has worked in community building, strategic partnerships and programme development across Switzerland. At the launch, she gave the opening address and set the frame for everything that followed.
Host11:15
Andrea Moser
In June 2023Strategy & Communications · ABROD
Andrea works in strategy and communications at ABROD, an African diaspora neobank platform. She is known for her direct communication style and her ability to engage diverse audiences. She co-hosted the launch with Danielle Manser.
Host11:15
Danielle Manser
In June 2023Event Moderator · Kanangayi Symposium
At the time of the launch, Danielle had studied International Business Management at FHNW and worked at Credit Suisse. In May 2023 she moderated the Kanangayi Symposium at African Fashion Night. She co-hosted the launch with Andrea Moser.
Speaker11:20
Claudia Bruce-Quartey
In June 2023Career Coach, Author & Speaker
Claudia works as a career coach, author and speaker. She supports women in career development and peak performance, and works with children and young people on confidence and identity. Her speaking topics include women in tech, self-confidence, resilience, overcoming adversity and faith. She has written books on personal and professional growth, including children’s books, and runs workshops on sales strategy, landing a dream job and building confidence at work.
Speaker11:40
Teresa Leuzinger
In June 2023Model & Actress · Zufash
Born in Congo-Kinshasa, Teresa moved to Switzerland as a child. She worked for more than a decade in the Catholic Church as a Seelsorgerin, giving spiritual support to young people. She founded a support group in Zürich for African women who have experienced violence and continues to support that community. She has also worked as an actress, including in training settings for therapists, and founded the brand Just Teresa, which stands for freedom, self-expression and personal values across all backgrounds. She is president of Zufash.
Speaker12:00
Jacqueline Kossiwa Tossukpe
In June 2023Fitness Coach & DEI Advisor · Fitnesswithkossiwa · Kesecurix
Jacqueline was the first female police officer of African descent in the Zürich police force. She later moved into diversity, equity and inclusion work and serves as a strategic DEI advisor at UBS. She founded Fitnesswithkossiwa, a holistic wellbeing platform combining fitness, mindfulness and personal development, and Kesecurix, a consultancy that promotes diversity and inclusion in the security sector.
Speaker12:20
Aïcha Besser
In June 2023Co-Founder · Black Helvetia
Aïcha has more than 20 years of experience in institutional communication and media relations, with a background in political science. She is Communication Manager for the CLIMACT research centre, focusing on environmental communication and sustainability. She co-founded Black Helvetia, a platform for and by Black women in Switzerland. AfroSwissters and Black Helvetia have co-organised the Röstibridge Lunch in Neuchâtel.
Performer12:40
Nomonde Maxeen Sixolo
In June 2023Poetry Performance Artist
Nomonde is a Zimbabwean poetry performance artist based in Switzerland. Her work uses spoken word, rhythm and live delivery to explore identity, resilience, love and the African experience. She has performed at international poetry festivals and cultural events, and runs workshops and mentorship programmes for emerging artists. At the launch, she performed with Blessing Asaolu.
Performer12:40
Blessing Asaolu
In June 2023Theatre Actress & Singer
Blessing is a Nigerian-Swiss singer and theatre actress. She moved to Switzerland at the age of ten, discovered her voice in middle school and performed in five theatre productions during high school. She describes the stage as her primary space for self-expression. At the launch, she performed with Nomonde Maxeen Sixolo.
Speaker12:55
Candace Nkoth Bisseck
In June 2023Career Coach & Consultant · Black Roses Mentors
Candace is a Programme Management Officer at UNCTAD, where she works on women’s inclusion in e-commerce and the digital economy. She founded Black Roses Mentors, a coaching and mentorship programme for young women. She has worked with L’Oréal, Stanford Seed and Jumia Market in Cameroon, has spoken at the UN, the WTO and the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and received the McKinsey Next Generation Women Leader Award.
Speaker13:15
Annabell Fignolé
In June 2023Scientist & Community Speaker · African Professionals for Progress
Originally from Haiti, Annabell holds a PhD in Molecular Sciences from the University of Bern, with a focus on chemical biology, and a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Strasbourg. She works as a Sales and Application Specialist at Promega AG. As Vice-President of African Professionals for Progress, she connects skilled professionals from Africa and the diaspora with opportunities in Europe, and she is committed to more participation of Afro-descendants in STEM.
Speaker13:35
Eddyleïsy H. Figaro
In June 2023Community Leader · Verein Afro Basel
Eddyleïsy co-founded Verein Afro Basel with her partner. She works in sales management and brings experience in marketing, events and project coordination to her community work. Through Afro Basel she has developed programmes that promote Afro-Swiss culture and build connections within the Black community in Basel, including the Afro Basel KidsParty and wider cultural events.
Speaker13:55
Nafisa Sayid
In June 2023Founder · Sayid Translations
Nafisa is the founder of Sayid Translations and co-lead of ADAN Switzerland. Her translation and cultural liaison work connects migrants and refugees from Eastern Africa with Swiss institutions and asylum processes. She supports Afro-Swiss professional networks and the pooling of resources for community and charitable initiatives, and also works as a project manager.
Speaker14:15
Tabea R. Weber-Fritsch
In June 2023Lawyer, Initiator & Founder · SankofaRisin’ Fund · Happy Hair Day
Tabea is a lawyer based in Basel. She founded the SankofaRisin’ Fund, named after the Akan concept of drawing on the past to build a better future, and initiated Happy Hair Day, a movement that celebrates Afro hair and self-acceptance within the Afro community in Switzerland. She has contributed to Verein Afro Basel, including co-organising events for families and children.
Speaker15:00
Nadia Asiamah
In June 2023Founder · Nagoyo
Nadia is a German-born entrepreneur with Ghanaian roots, based in Zürich. After four years as a flight attendant, she founded Nagoyo, a travel agency for personalised and culturally meaningful journeys. At the launch, she spoke about travel as a way to broaden perspectives and build cross-cultural understanding.
Speaker15:20
Mona Dawood
In June 2023Artistic Communicator & Poet
Mona works as a Marketing and Communication Manager and studies business psychology. She is a poet and an advocate for education, art and literature. As the daughter of immigrants who has lived in several countries, her work is shaped by many cultures. Her poetry centres women’s strength, healing, forgiveness and solidarity.
Speaker15:40
Lizanne Atherly
In June 2023Founder & Syndicate Investor · Minds2Capital · BLK Future Week
Lizanne has more than 15 years of experience in financial markets and early-stage investing. She founded Minds2Capital and co-founded BLK Future Week. Her portfolio includes more than 70 early- and growth-stage companies, with exits including an IPO and several unicorns, across sustainable technologies, AI, digital health and the future of work. At the launch, she joined a fireside conversation on investment and entrepreneurship.
Artist16:10
Estelle Junod
In June 2023Painter
Estelle is an Afro-Swiss painter with roots in the Seychelles and Switzerland. Her paintings centre the female form across all body types, challenging beauty standards and promoting self-acceptance. She has exhibited at the 4thekultur event and in Bern. At the launch, she showed her paintings and spoke about her practice.
Artist16:15
Joslyne O. Ramazani
In June 2023Scenographer & Illustrator · Ohoka Illustrations
Joslyne works as a scenographer in Zürich, creating visual environments for stage productions. She is also an illustrator under the name Ohoka Illustrations; her illustrations explore emotion, identity and inner experience. At the launch, she appeared with Nadou Niang.
Artist16:15
Nadou Niang
In June 2023Writer & Painter · ADAN
Nadou is an artist of Senegalese and Swiss descent working across visual art and spoken word. She studies psychology and is a co-lead of ADAN in Zürich. Her work has been featured on the AfroSwissters Spectrum podcast and on @maybeitsartmaybenot. At the launch, she appeared with Joslyne O. Ramazani.
Artist16:30
Folake Idowu
In June 2023Multidisciplinary Artist
Folake is a self-taught painter from Nigeria, based in Switzerland, with a practice spanning more than a decade. She works across painting, embroidery and mixed media to create figurative portraits that explore race, identity and the human experience through an Afrocentric lens, drawing on history, anthropology and cultural memory.
Speaker16:40
Olivia James Tolen
In June 2023Founder · African Fashion Night · Black Excellence Switzerland
Born in Harare, Zimbabwe, Olivia has lived in Zürich since the age of 13. She has a background in business administration, legal management and corporate event management. She founded African Fashion Night Zürich and Ethnicity Art Zürich and co-founded Black Excellence Switzerland. Her work supports African designers, artists and creative talent in Switzerland and builds visibility for African fashion and culture.
Performer18:00
Marie Tina Asoh
In June 2023Landscape Architect & DJ · Planting Solidarity
Marie Tina Asoh, known as Tina Marie, has roots in Cameroon and Madagascar and grew up in Canada. After a Bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture she moved to Switzerland, completed an MAS in Housing Development at ETH Zürich and, in 2023, founded Planting Solidarity – Placemaking Collective. A DJ and record collector in Zürich, she tells stories through research, documentation and music. At the launch, she played live music with Corian.
Sponsor
Tasila Chèvre Banda
In June 2023Founder · Sahara Accessories
Tasila is from Zambia and lives in Switzerland. She founded Sahara Accessories, a jewellery brand that draws on African cultural heritage and craftsmanship. She has a background in anthropology and has worked with rural communities and studied in South Africa. Sahara Accessories sponsored the launch.
