"Black Dads" reading for kids and their parents
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| free admission |
| German, German audio description |
| Mechanical Arena in the Foyer |
| Belongs to: Care or Chaos? |
Playdates and storytelling: Black Dads Germany is opening up new perspectives on the image of fathers in Germany, with caregiving playing a central role. At the same time, the initiative is committed to a more diverse and inclusive society.
We cordially invite you to enjoy short stories for children and adults, read and presented by Black Dads Germany.
The stories deal with the themes of family, care, and, above all, the relationships between fathers and their children. The selection is aimed at an audience aged 3 and up. The performances are offered in both German and English. In addition, Black Dads Germany has compiled a library on the topic of family from a local and global perspective, which will be freely accessible from 24.1.26.
Founded in Berlin, the initiative creates safe and vibrant spaces – primarily for diverse fathers and their children, but also for intergenerational communities. At the same time, Black Dads Germany is building a supportive network that strengthens families and connects communities – not only in Berlin, but throughout Germany.
The Black Dads Germany initiative was launched in 2020 by Alain Missala (Cameroon/Germany).
Particpants
Growing up in Cameroon without a father, Alain learned early on how essential a father’s presence is in a child’s life. In the absence of his biological father, his grandfather stepped in, teaching him both practical skills—like how to tie a tie—and deeper lessons about care, responsibility, and community. When his grandfather passed away, Alain, at just 16, assumed the role of primary male caregiver in his family.
Years later, after moving to Germany to pursue his second Master’s degree, marrying a German woman, and raising three biracial children, Alain’s caregiving journey took on new dimensions. While navigating systemic discrimination himself, he became responsible for guiding his children through questions of race and identity. This became even more pressing in 2020, when his two-year-old daughter declared that she was White, not Black. Determined to provide her with empowering role models, Alain turned to public libraries in search of children’s books featuring Black characters or heroes—but found none. This gap led him to reflect on inequality in public resources: while all citizens contribute equally through taxes, not all benefit equally from cultural representation.
When his proposals to Berlin’s Integration Officer and the head of public libraries for a Black-curated library were dismissed, Alain turned to social media to connect with other Black fathers. These first conversations grew into the very first pilot meetings of Black Dads Germany (BDG).
Since then, Alain has been recognized as a trusted advisor to public institutions and has secured a partnership with Audible, one of the world’s largest audiobook platforms. Under his leadership, BDG has expanded into eight cities across Germany, connecting over 1,000 fathers and cultivating a vibrant national network. Today, more than 400 fathers exchange daily in BDG’s WhatsApp community, making it a powerful movement that empowers Black fathers, builds local communities, and creates spaces where families can thrive.
Amani Mtoroko has roots in both Germany and Tanzania. He is the father of three children, to whom he has always loved reading aloud – sparking their imagination, strengthening their bond, and ending the day together in calm and connection.
As a member of the Black Dads Germany community, he understands the importance of empowering his own children – and others – through stories where Black children can see themselves represented and where Black fathers are visible as caring parents and positive role models.
My name is Akinkunle, I was born in Lagos and came to Germany as a child in the late 1980s. Today, I live in Berlin, am the father of a one-and-a-half-year-old son, and am a member of Black Dads Germany. I have been working in the telecommunications industry for almost 20 years, currently as a Customer Success Manager, where I help companies transform their networks for the future. As one of the few Black people in school and at work, I learned early on how important role models are. That’s why I am committed to promoting the visibility and empowerment of Black people, both in my community and in my company. Through readings, I want to encourage children to love themselves, find their voice, and dream big.