Embracing Diversity
Welcome to our Embracing Diversity page, where we gather and share thoughts, research, and media on the topic of raising multi-ethnic and multicultural children, with a specific focus on Afro-European perspectives. We invite you to contribute your writing by sharing it with us at hello@afroswissfamilies.com. You have the option to be credited publicly or remain anonymous as the author. Let's come together to celebrate and understand diversity.
Reflections - Looking Back On First Quarter 2024
Images © Various Parents & Caregivers Of Afro Swiss Families
Looking to beat the winter chill, we kicked off our 2024 programming indoors at Winterthur's Skills Park. Despite the cold, the warmth and exuberance of all the parents, caregivers, and children made it worthwhile. With boundless energy, the children bounced on indoor trampolines, zoomed around on scooters and bikes in the indoor skate park, played catch or hide and seek, all topped off with the timeless delight…
Glossary - Words Matter
Image © Kampus Productions
As multi-cultural and multi-ethnic families how we communicate matters, more so for the sake of our children who are developing their identity. We sharing this glossary guide as an educational starting point…
Family - Talking ‘Race’ & ‘Racism’ With Our Children
Image © Keira Burton
“ Imagine it's a day like any other, and you are with your child, their eyes filled with innocent wonder. They curiously or timidly ask you about skin color, differences in tones, or share a negative racial experience. This scene often confronts parents and caregivers of Afro-descendant children, evoking feelings of panic or hesitation, prompting moments of pause…”
Conversation Series - Reflections On Affirmation & Gatekeeping
Image © Mizuno K
Gatekeeping, defined as the practice of controlling access to social spaces, cultural practices, or identities based on arbitrary criteria, has profound implications for those of us raising and loving multi-hyphenate children. This term becomes a silent but influential force…
Afro-Swiss Spotlight: Pauline Buisson
Image © Artistic rendering by Afro Swiss Families
Meet Pauline Buisson —an enslaved woman and midwife brought to Switzerland from Saint-Domingue in 1776 by the Swiss businessman David-Philippe de Treytorrens. Pauline not only worked in the household of Treytorrens but also served as a prolific midwife.…
Bill Of Rights For People Of Mixed Heritage
Image © Sai De Silva
In 1993, Critical Race Studies pioneer and researcher Dr. Maria P. P. Root’s drafted the innovative and ground breaking document The Bill of Rights For People of Mixed Heritage. As parents raising Afro-European children, we use this bill of rights to inform our approach…
Representation - Afro Swiss Persons In Public Forum Pt. 5
Image © Afro Swiss Families
A selection of Afro-Swiss persons in public forums spaces. This forms part of an ongoing collage project highlighting and sharing of Afro-Swiss persons innovating, breaking ground in their respective fields…
Family - Examples of Identity & Racial Gatekeeping of Afro-descent Persons
Image © Cottonbro Studio
Navigating the terrain of identity and racial gatekeeping brings with it certain challenges for Afro-descent children and individuals living in Europe, it can shape their experiences and influence their sense of belonging. Within the plethora of Afro-European realities, these challenges manifest in a variety of ways, each layer adding nuance…
Community - Afro-textured, Curl, Coily Hair Salons Specialists & Stores In Switzerland
Image © Pink Box Studio
Caring for curls and coils often requires seeking out a stylist who can create a comfortable and nurturing environment for both you and your children. It takes a community to raise empowered multicultural and multiethnic children in Switzerland…
Black Girls Bill of Rights
Image © Pixabay
Originating from the groundbreaking Black Girl Movement Conference in 2016, this declaration was crafted by Black girls across the United States, envisioning a world that values and empowers them…
One Year of Afro Swiss Families - A Journey of Connection & Learning
Image © Afro Swiss Families
As we head into our birthday month of October, we take a moment to look back on the past year—a year that has been defined by the wonderful friendships that have blossomed among us as parents and our children, as well as the numerous valuable lessons we've learned while undertaking this project.
Belonging - Celebrating Black History & Blackness In Switzerland
Image © Anna Shvets
The literature on Black history in Switzerland is in its formative stages, still celebrating the known history Afro-descendant people within the region is important for our families. By engaging with and celebrating Black history in Switzerland we have the opportunity to connect our children to others possibly mirroring their lived experience…
Afro Swiss Families Receives Support From "Ici. Here Together." Of Migros Commitment
Image © Screenshot of “Ici. Here Together.” Website Collage by Afro Swiss Families
Afro Swiss Families is thrilled to announce a significant development for our community dedicated to supporting Afro-European children in Switzerland. Starting in November 2023 and running through December 2024, Afro Swiss Families will be supported by "ici. here together," an initiative under Migros Commitment…
Embracing Diversity - Resources
Image © Afro Swiss Families
As parents of Afroswiss or Afropean children, we understand the challenges of finding resources that accurately represent our experiences and cultures. This is why we are dedicated to creating a centralised collection...
Afro-Swiss Spotlight: Belotie Nkashama
Image © NSANDA Librairie
Meet Belotie Nkashama, she is an Afro Swiss parent, author, and psychologist and the co-founder of Beth Story Editions. Together with her husband, Thierry Nkashama, she embarked on this journey driven by the need to create relatable Afro-descent protagonists in children's picture books.…
Conversation Series - Fostering Multiculturalism Within Our Families
Image © Keira Burton
In a world characterized by shifting demographics and a continually evolving cultural landscape, the nuances and beauty of multiculturalism become central in our lives. This rings especially true for those of us raising Afro-Swiss or Afropean children. Among us are migrant or minority identity parents and caregivers, while others have been born and raised in the heart of Europe…
Representation - Afro Swiss Persons In Public Forum Pt. 4
Image © Afro Swiss Families
A selection of Afro-Swiss persons in public forums spaces. This forms part of an ongoing collage project highlighting and sharing of Afro-Swiss persons innovating, breaking ground in their respective fields…
Family - Supporting And Nurturing Our Third Culture Kids
Images © Cottonbro Studio
With global migration on the rise, many of us find ourselves raising Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Coined by US sociologist Ruth Hill Useem in the 1950s, the term "third culture kid" refers to children raised in a culture other than that of their parents or country of nationality, spending a significant part of their formative years
Afro-Swiss Spotlight: Coumba Sow
Image © uefa.com
Meet Coumba Sow, a professional football player who began her career at age 12, playing for SV Höngg and later FC Zurich's junior teams while also pursuing her studies…
Conversation Series - Reflection On Parenting As A Third Culture Kid
Image © Andrea Piacquadio
Home, a simple four-letter word that carries such weight and is deeply rooted in our lives. For some, it represents a physical place, while for others, it takes on a more abstract meaning. As for me, home has been a combination of places and people, interwoven in my heart and blood, shaping the person…