Moms of Color & Culture
For the Mothers* rooted in African, Indian, Arab & Black American Cultures
“My first session in Afloat lifted this heavy feeling I carried... And when I expressed myself, I was met with a nod in agreement , an empathetic smile; sets of experienced eyes….all from women who understood, because they know, they have been there, they feel it too. In that moment, I felt held; kept Afloat.”
About the group
Building a Family away from home comes with the complexities of managing the balances of Home and residence country.
Dear Mama*,
We know it’s tough, but we are with you.
We see you on the nights you are up with the baby and barely get any sleep, when you tell your toddler to ‘come down from there’ for the seventh time in 5 minutes, and on the days you are so exhausted running from Termine, to Schule, to Einkaufen, to work. We also see you when you choose to show up every single time regardless of your emotional state.
We see that extra layer that being a skin tone darker places on your experience as an immigrant in Germany, and how it shapes your motherhood journey and the way you raise your child. The way you try not to pass on your biases to your child, and how you have to judge every situation in both contexts, because sometimes it really is about your skin tone. We see how you move on, not because you are not phased, but because as a parent, every decision goes beyond yourself.
We hear you when you ask yourself how to appropriately teach your child your language and culture without affecting the way they learn and experience German culture. Where you try to raise them with the values you were taught while making sure they understand the values of the place they know as home.
It can be overwhelming trying to find the right balance between home and residence country.
Raising a child is tough enough, without the Layers of doing it in a foreign country, away from family and support systems and the familiar ‘proverbial village’.
You are not alone. We are with you, as a listening ear, as support, as a virtual village.
We understand because we are going through it too.
Here moms* come together in a safe and open space for open and honest conversations, share experiences, and feel reassured, supported, and grounded - in themselves, in one another and to the cultures that we carry with us.
Whether you are new in Germany, or have been here for years, regardless of the city you live in, you are welcomed here.
Your culture, your story, your motherhood* journey matters.
Would you like to support us?
A suggested donation of €8 helps us cover the costs of running our groups and keep them accessible to everyone. Donations are voluntary, and no one is turned away due to inability to contribute.Your donation funds your chosen project or urgent needs within Afloat’s mission. If a project is fully funded or urgent needs arise elsewhere, we may reallocate donations in line with Afloat e.V.’s mission. Your support helps us care where it’s needed most. Thank you for your trust. Please note that, as these are donations, we do not issue refunds, if you cancel your attendance to a support group or a session. A donation receipt for tax purposes can be requested via email to hello@afloatgermany.org.
How it works
When: Last Sunday of every month from 11:00 CET
Format: Online · 60 minutes · Zoom
Language: English
Facilitator: Linguere D.M.
Registration: Fill the form, then book your session via Calendly — that’s how you receive the Zoom link.
Contact: For questions, please email Linguere at afloatbipocmoms@gmail.com
*Please take some time to read our Afloat Support Groups Rules (link on the form below) to get a feel of what to expect during the group
Disclaimer: Please note that this group is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. We are a peer to peer support group and a hub to connect you with health care professionals and other service providers around pregnancy and motherhood*. We do not handle psychiatric emergencies.
Join us and make lasting connections !
Important: Please complete the registration form below to show your interest in the group. After submitting, you’ll be redirected to book your session(s) through our Afloat Scheduling Tool (Calendly).
Your registration is complete once you have booked a session—this is how you receive the Zoom link to attend. Only participants who have booked via Calendly can join the session(s).
If you are not redirected, please check that all required fields are filled in correctly. Thank you!
For questions, please email us at afloatwarmline@gmail.com
Online · Monthly
Moms* of Colour & Culture
Dear Mama*,
We know it’s tough, but we are with you.
We see you on the nights you are up with the baby and barely get any sleep, when you tell your toddler to ‘come down from there’ for the seventh time in 5 minutes, and on the days you are so exhausted running from Termine, to schule, to einkaufen, to work. We also see you when you choose to show up every single time regardless of your emotional state.
We see that extra layer that being a skin tone darker places on your experience as an immigrant in Germany, and how it shapes your motherhood* journey and the way you raise your child.
The way you try not to pass on your biases to your child, and how you have to judge every situation in both contexts, because sometimes it really is about your skin tone. We see how you move on, not because you are not phased, but because as a parent, every decision goes beyond yourself.
We hear you when you ask yourself how to appropriately teach your child your language and culture without affecting the way they learn and experience German culture. Where you try to raise them with the values you were taught while making sure they understand the values of the place they know as home.
It can be overwhelming trying to find the right balance between home and your resident country.
Raising a child is tough enough, without the layers of doing it in a foreign country, away from family and support systems and the familiar ‘proverbial village’.
You are not alone. We are with you, as a listening ear, as support, as a virtual village.
We understand because we are going through it too.
Here moms* come together in a safe and open space for open and honest conversations, share experiences, and feel reassured, supported, and grounded - in themselves, in one another and to the cultures that we carry with us.
Whether you are new in Germany, or have been here for years, regardless of the city you live in, you are welcomed here.
Your culture, your story, your motherhood** journey matters.
Last Sunday of each month
- When: Last Sunday, 11:00 - 12:00 CET
- Where: Online
- Language: English
- Format: Drop-in. Come when you can.
- Contact: moms-of-colour@afloatgermany.org
Your facilitator
Linguere Sock
My first child came at a time of many transitions; from a student and work student to unemployed graduate, which also meant that my Aufenthalt was up for review. I was caught in a space where everything that had become my normal in this foreign country was changing. And while home was only a phone call away, I couldn’t expect that everything I was feeling and imagining would be understood without the environmental context of living in Germany. I would explain myself and pause to search for a sign that I was understood, and the sign never came; so I carried on, each day ending with a heavy sigh.
I spent a lot of time finding resources and information, just anything to give me a sense of direction and instruction. Having a child in Germany is definitely different from the way preparation is done back home. So many to do lists, forms, appointments, applications - before, during and after. In all of this, I found Afloat, even without knowing it was exactly what I was looking for.
My first session in Afloat lifted this heavy feeling I carried, as for the first time, someone had put in words what I have tried to communicate so many times. And when I expressed myself, I was met with a nod in agreement, an empathetic smile; sets of experienced eyes…all from women who understood, because they know, they have been there, they feel it too. In that moment, I felt held; kept Afloat.
So when I am asked why I facilitate with Afloat, I think back to how it felt to be able to lay down the heaviness which I’ve carried with me between sessions, to speak freely without fear of judgement, ridicule, or a misunderstanding I have to defend. I want to be able to create that safe space for a mom* waiting to exhale.
Mom of 2 boys. BSc & MSc - Mkt, Int’l Mgt. Member - Afloat. Linguere Sock
Please note that this group is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment by a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. We are a peer to peer support group and a hub to connect you with health care professionals and other service providers around pregnancy and parenthood*. We do not handle psychiatric emergencies.