An unusual journey to Switzerland
This collective project, launched in 2020, showcases a side of Switzerland that's far removed from clichés. It features Swiss people of African descent whose family histories have been rooted in Switzerland for decades or more recently. All of them stand out for their inspiring, courageous, and daring journeys, and play an active role in the economy, politics, and cultural and media production on a daily basis.
The three project leaders traveled to meet them in all four corners of Switzerland to conduct in-depth three-hour interviews.
"The book holds up a mirror to Swiss society, reminding it, in a confidential, humorous, and kind tone, that it is multiple, rich, complex, and sometimes paradoxical. It is essential today to tell our stories to one another to foster cohesion."
Who are the 13 personalities?
The selection was made of 13 individuals who have made their mark in unexpected fields, overcoming obstacles and demonstrating their resilience and perseverance.
Angélique Beldner, TV presenter (SRF) and author of Der Sommer in dem ich Schwarz wurde
Licia Chery, multidisciplinary artist, former TV presenter (RTS)
Harald Cropt, former Swiss wrestling champion and winemaker (Domaine de Trécord)
Carine Foretia, entrepreneur (Hairitage Salons)
Tilo Frey, National Councillor (1971–1975), died in 2008
Sasha Huber, multidisciplinary artist
KT Gorique, rapper, dancer, actress, former participant of the show Nouvelle école
Brigitte Lembwadio, lawyer and president of the MélanineSuisse association
Max Lobe, writer
Sylvie Makela, entrepreneur (Salons Tribus Urbaines) and columnist for the show Les beaux parleur (RTS)
Patricia Kafwamba Oguey, former Olympic swimmer, psycho-corporal therapist
Pamela Ohene-Nyako, historian and founder of Afrolitt
Carl-Alex Ridoré, politician, first prefect of African descent in Switzerland
Team
Artistic roles
This collective project was carried out by Aïcha Besser , Myriam Koné and Daniska Tampise Klebo , co-authors and co-editors of Constellations Afropéennes, published under the Afropean Book Club© label.
Aïcha Besser
Myriam Koné
Daniska
Tampise Klebo
Texts : Aïcha Besser (social media manager at UNIL, co-founder of the Black Helvetia Festival)
Paintings & texts : Myriam Koné (multidisciplinary artist, administrative collaborator at the International School of Geneva)
Illustrations & texts : Daniska Tampise Klebo (heartivist, artist-researcher, doctoral assistant at the Swiss Forum for the Study of Migration and Population – UniNe, founder and director of the Afropean Book Club©)
Photographs : Nadir Mokdad (photographer based in Nyon, active on various documentary and artistic projects)
Graphics : François Dulex, Daniska Tampise Klebo and Yves Balibouse
Diffusion
Supporters
The book will be available in bookstores and online from August 21, 2025 :
In bookstores : available to order in Switzerland, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Quebec and the DOM-COM (overseas departments and regions and overseas communities).
Online : accessible on the main international digital platforms (Payot, Amazon , Fnac, Fnac Suisse Decitre, Cultura and many others), including in non-French-speaking countries.
The project benefits from the support of the City of Geneva, as part of its initiatives to combat anti-Black racism, as well as the Anti-Racism Service, the "ici.ensemble" program, the City of Bulle, the Confederation's cantonal integration programs, and finally the Office for the Integration of Migrants and the Prevention of Racism (IMR) of the canton of Fribourg.
