Afro-Swiss Spotlight: Carmel Fröhlicher-Stines

Meet Carmel Fröhlicher-Stines, a psychologist, linguist, and literary scholar who has dedicated her career to addressing intercultural relations, integration issues, and the recognition of structural racism and sexism in Switzerland.

Born in Haiti and raised in the United States, Carmel moved to Zurich from New York in 1971 as a student. Since then, she has contributed her expertise to numerous private and public bodies, contributing to the approach to diversity and inclusion of various institutions. She served as a member of both the Swiss Federal Commission for Migration (EKM) and the Swiss Federal Commission against Racism (ECR), where her work significantly impacted policies on migration and anti-racism.

In the late 1980’s, alongside social pedagogue and anthropologist Zeedah Meierhofer-Mangeli, Carmel co-founded the "Women of Black Heritage" group in Zurich. This group became a vital platform for Black women, organizing cultural events, conferences, discussion evenings, and fostering regional, national, and international networks. Their work provided a critical space for dialogue and advocacy within Switzerland’s Black communities.

Carmel also co-founded CRAN (Carrefour de Réflexion et d'Action Contre le Racisme Anti-Noir), a Swiss-wide platform dedicated to combating anti-Black racism. She played a key role in the 2004 EKR study on the situation of Black people in Switzerland, contributing to the recognition of systemic inequalities within the country.

Additionally, Carmel served as Co-President of FiZ, a specialist office focused on issues related to human trafficking and women's migration. Her extensive involvement in both private and public committees has established her as a leading expert on racism and sexism in Switzerland.

We applaud Carmel Fröhlicher-Stines’ contributions to anti-racism, gender equality, and intercultural understanding. Her ongoing, lifelong dedication to creating inclusive spaces and addressing systemic inequalities continues to inspire and motivate our community.