A 2023 project funded by Bezirksamt Berlin-Mitte   Throughout 2023, a group of young people gathered in weekly workshops to explore fashion concepts from Africa and its diaspora at Salone Market, a Sierra Leonean restaurant in Berlin-Wedding. Amidst sharing experiences of racism and strategies to overcome them, they crafted speeches presented to Bezirksamt representative Frau Carolyn Kanja.    Supported by Sulaymane Mare, our talented tailor with Burkina Faso heritage, they created fashion accessories and designs that reflected the beauty of their African-European identities and experiences. Self-chosen empowerment messages underscored an attitude of self-awareness and self-love.   The project culminated in a FashionEmpowerment show in front of a community gathering of 350 people in support of Sudanese Peace Action Day on December 16, 2023. The show received generous support by Berlin Mondiale and featured several African artists, including those who migrated from Ukraine to Berlin, featuring Afrobeat and live performances by artists like PapaG and Kollinz as well as an after party. Particularly notable was the collaboration with Ulibia Beauty Empire under the leadership of Grace Aanajemba, through which children and young people enjoyed exploring Afrocentric hairstyles, expressing pride in their heritage.    The project’s primary goal was to empower children and youth through fashion-themed workshops, enabling them to explore and embrace their unique preferences and needs. Our FashionEmpowerment workshops were designed to create safer spaces with a diverse team representing various gender identities and creating inclusive spaces for personal growth among youth. The project was predominantly executed by refugees and individuals with migrant backgrounds from the African continent, ensuring culturally sensitive programming.    We are proud to have successfully fostered self-empowerment among young participants and their families, facilitating skill development through community arts activities. The project is currently seeking expansion in collaboration with several schools interested in the sustainable artworks of the project.