As the second most populous continent in the world, Africans are widely spread across the face of the earth. This spatial distribution can be stemmed from different contributory factors, like slavery, unrest and war, policy change, and a trance for grinding for economic survival. However, irrespective of the circumstances surrounding the fate of Africans’ emigration to the other side of the world, thriving successfully in life endeavors is all that matters. To this end, here are ten (10) Black people laudably giving their impress on the German social and economic space.
Image credit: SPD
Karamba Diaby, Germany Politician/ MP (Bundestag)
The SPD member (60) represents the eastern city of Halle in the Federal Parliament. The election of the Senegalese-born holder of a doctorate degree in chemistry and that of Charles Huber (CDU) as the Bundestag’s first members of African descent in 2013 marked a watershed in the history of Germany.
Image credit: RTL
Yared Dibaba, TV Moderator
The Ethiopian-born TV moderator, actor, author and singer (51) is a successful media personality of African origin in Germany.
Nelson Müller, TV Cook
Born in February 1979 in Breman Asikuma, Ghana, he came to Germany with his parents at age 4, but was raised by German foster parents who formally adopted him in 2013. The cook, author, and singer also runs his Restaurant schote in Essen.
Ivy Quianoo, Singer
Born in Berlin to Ghanaian parents in August 1992, she won the first episode of the talent hunt show “The Voice of Germany” in 2012. Quainoo has since then recorded two albums, and she performs regularly on German TV and at concerts across Europe.
Charles Mohammed Huber, German Politician
The former TV actor (63) was born in the Bavarian city of Munich to a Senegalese father and a German mother. Huber, who represented the western city of Darmstadt in the Federal Parliament, was the first Black actor in a national TV series, “Der Alte”, where he played the inspector Henry Johnson. The member of the CDU comes from a prominent Senegalese family; his father was a diplomat and his uncle, Léopold Senghor, was the first President of Senegal. “Politics is a tradition in our family,” Huber said after his historic election in 2013. “Somehow it was meant to be.”
Steffi Jones, German Football Manager And Former Football Player
Stephanie Ann Jones, born in Frankfurt to a German mother and an African-American father in December 1972, she scored nine (9) goals in 111 caps for the German national team between 1993 and 2007. She was a director at the football federation. Jones was in charge of organizing the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. After serving as assistant manager of the national team under Silvia Neid, Jones assumed the position of head coach in August 2016 till 2018.
Jérôme Boateng, Professional Football player
Jérôme Agyenim Boateng, born in Berlin to a German mother, and a Ghanaian father, professional player (31) was a member of the World Cup winning German team in 2014, the year he also won the German FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League with his club Bayern Munich FC.
Nneka, Singer and Songwriter
The Hamburg-based hip-hop and soul singer was born in December 1980 in Warri, Nigeria, to a German mother and a Nigerian father. She moved to Germany at 18, and burst into the music scene with a successful debut single “The Uncomfortable Truth” in 2005. Nneka, who has since then recorded six albums, regularly performs around the world, in Africa, Europe, North America and Japan.
Xavier Naidoo, Singer
Born in October 1971 in Mannheim to South African parents of Indian and African descent, he landed in Germany’s top charts in 1997 with the song “Frei sein” (To be free), in collaboration with Sabrina Setlur. His 1998 debut album “Nicht von dieser Welt” (Not from this world) sold more than 1 million copies. Since then he has released eight albums and is celebrated as one of the most successful recording artists in Germany’s history.
Roberto Blanco, Entertainer
Born 83 years ago in Tunis, Tunisia to parents, who were variety artists from Cuba, he has been active in the German’s entertainment scene for nearly 60 years.
