Tupoka Ogette: „Trotzdem Zuhause. Memoir“

A piece of German history as you’ve rarely heard it: Growing up in the GDR as the Black daughter of a white dissident.

An evening with Tupoka Ogette, moderated by Sévérine Kpoti.

“This is how my story begins. As the daughter of a white woman and a Black man. Between Sange, southern Tanzania, and Gera, Thuringia. Between a colonial past and the GDR dictatorship.”

Tupoka Ogette writes about the search for belonging, about living in contradiction, in the in-between. She tells of growing up as a Black child in the GDR, of escape and loss, of abuse, body shaming, and abusive relationships—but also of love, motherhood, resilience, and self-empowerment. About the friendships she forms and those she loses. About starting over in West Germany. And about finding calm in the storm.

It’s rare to read texts written with such an open, honest heart. Tupoka Ogette tells of life and survival in Germany. Of struggle and triumph. Of despair and hope. A masterclass in what simultaneity means. –Alice Hasters

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Accompanying the event, an exhibition by photographer and author Sévérine Kpoti will be on display in the foyer that day

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Black on Tomorrow—Eastern, Migrant, Feminist.
Not a side note, but a starting point:
Sévérine Kpoti photographs and interviews FLINTA peopleof color who grew up in the former GDR or during the years of reunification.*
This gives rise to stories of origin, resistance, and the future—with a focus on opportunities for shaping one’s own path, new spaces for action in the present, and the drive for change and progress.
Because remembering means moving forward.
And actively shaping the future.
From amigrant FLINTA perspective.*
Unwavering.
Self-determined.
Visible.

With

Tupoka Ogette wasborn in Leipzig in 1980 to a Tanzanian agricultural student and a German mathematics student. Since 2012, Tupoka Ogette has been working nationwide as a consultant and trainer in the field of anti-racism. In this role, she leads workshops and training sessions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, speaks at events, and advises teams and organizations. Her handbook *exit RACISM. Learning to Think Critically About Racism*, published in March 2017, is a *SPIEGEL* bestseller. In 2019, Ogette was honored by Edition F magazine as one of the 25 most influential women of the year. SPIEGEL Online included her as one of ten women in its educational canon on the topic of theory and politics. In 2021, she was voted “Idol of the Year” by About You. Her book *Trotzdem Zuhause. Memoir* was published on February 25, 2026, by Penguin Verlag.

Sévérine Kpoti (bornin Freiburg in 1976) is a Black German woman, freelance photographer, author, DJ, and (sub)cultural activist.
Her work focuses on documenting social and societal structures as well as subcultures.
Her themes are politically motivated, intersectional, and often deal with marginalization, belonging, and identity. This gives rise to stories of origin, resistance, and the future. In the anthology “PUNK as FCK– The Scene from a FLINTA Perspective” (2022, Ventil Verlag), Kpoti writes about discriminatory conditions in the subcultural scene, self-empowerment, and active participation in her very personal story “Alien She.” In her latest exhibition piece, “Schwarz auf Morgen,” created for Chemnitz’s designation as European Capital of Culture, Kpoti portrays FLINTA* people of color who grew up in the former GDR or during the years of German reunification. Sévérine Kpoti lives and works in Freiburg and Berlin.

Note:The discussion may touch on sexism, racism, eating disorders, violence, abuse, and other sensitive topics. This event is not suitable for children.