Kolinga Kongo (feat. Gael Faye) (2019)
As the founder and director of the Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ), Emilia has worked to expand equality and anti-discrimination efforts in Germany and Europe through an intersectional lens. Founded in 2017, CIJ was a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing policies and initiatives that center marginalized voices. In 2024, Emilia decided to close CIJ to focus on broader, long-term efforts to challenge systemic oppression. Her academic rigor and social commitment continue to inform her work, as she channels her personal background and experiences into a powerful vision of solidarity and justice.
Her books have been instrumental in shifting the conversation on systemic inequality. Her first major work, Why We Matter. Das Ende der Unterdrückung (Engl. “Why We Matter. The End of Oppression”), demonstrates how intersecting forms of discrimination are woven into everyday life and institutional structures. Her most recent book, Lieber Sohn oder so rettest du die Welt (“Dear Son or How to Save the World”), is a letter to her son, urging a radical shift in how we think about care and resistance in times of crisis. She calls for a return to physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual care to combat the rise of turbo-capitalism and fascist politics, making the case that it’s not heroes who will save the world, but a fundamental re-evaluation of our values.
The titles reflect Emilia’s willingness to question the very structures we live within, showing us how to examine the fabric of our society as well as personal lives (the private is political!) and find ways to improve it. Emilia herself grew up in a multicultural family: her father is Algerian-Jewish and her mother is from Martinique. Born in France, she has lived in Berlin since 2005 where she has dedicated herself to building a think tank that centers marginalized voices.
She has taught intersectionality theory, Critical Race Theory and postcolonial studies at universities in Germany, France and the United States. But her work is not only academic—she also speaks and consults widely, advising governments, NGOs and companies on issues of discrimination, diversity and systemic change.
Emilia’s philosophical and political vision aligns closely with the emotional resonance she finds in music. She explains how certain songs have accompanied her recently, reflecting her experiences and connecting her to both joy and memory. “Kongo” by Kolinga feat. Gael Faye moves her with its melody and lyrics while “Palestine” by M.A.P Les bronzés font du ch’ti channels anger that feels necessary and grounding. “Chez moi” by Casey connects Emilia to Martinique, her island, bringing a sense of home and belonging that resonates deeply with her life and work.
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