Aziz Sarr has been shaping Berlin’s cultural landscape for over a decade – especially through his work as a DJ, event organizer, and co-founder of the collectives Freak de l’Afrique and RISE, both of which have played a key role in establishing African and Afrodiasporic music genres such as Afrobeats, Amapiano, and Gqom in the city’s club scene. In 2024, he took over the venue Haubentaucher and transformed it into MAAYA – a central space for African music, art, and culture in Berlin. With his deep understanding of the city’s cultural dynamics and his commitment to inclusive, forward-thinking programming, he brings a valuable perspective to the jury.

Sonja Schaudt is co-spokesperson of the “AG-Räume” working group within the Berlin Cultural Conference. Since 2021, she has been working as a project manager at the Coordination Office for Rehearsal and Performance Spaces at the Berlin State Music Council (Landesmusikrat Berlin e.V.). Prior to that, she lived in Istanbul for eleven years, where she held various roles, including event management and serving as Secretary General of the German-Turkish cultural association die Brücke e.V. Sonja Schaudt holds a degree in Political and Administrative Sciences.

Pamela Owusu-Brenyah is a music consultant, festival organizer, and DJ with a strong focus on community building and intercultural programming. As a curator of the Pop-Kultur Festival and founder of Afro x Pop, she advocates for the visibility of Afrodiasporic artists and the development of sustainable networks. She brings extensive jury experience, including with Initiative Musik and Music Women Germany, where she also serves on the board. In 2024, she contributed to the community outreach for the Turbulence project as part of the TXL Model Space, combining subject-matter expertise with in-depth knowledge of the site and Berlin’s music and cultural scene.

Michelle Galleta is the founder of the event and booking agency CURA Berlin and works as a booking and tour manager with five international artists and drag performers. Her work promotes global connectivity, cultural diversity, and creative synergy. As the initiator of the workshop “Faults, Fails & Fuckups – A Talk to Embrace Failure and Imperfection”, she advocates for openness, personal growth, and a creative approach to failure. She sees herself as a cultural multiplier and bridge-builder between international art and cultural scenes.

Daniel Plasch is a lawyer as well as a project and culture manager with many years of experience in Berlin’s club and cultural scene. While still studying law, he was already involved in projects such as “Villa,” and later went on to manage the internationally renowned cultural center STATTBAD in Berlin-Wedding. Since 2015, he has been active in the Berlin Clubcommission, serving as a board member since 2018 with a focus on protecting and developing creative spaces. He has built a strong network between cultural actors and urban development and has overseen projects such as the “Stadt Nach Acht” conference and the pandemic initiative United We Stream. Since 2021, he has been managing RSO.BERLIN and also runs the vinyl pressing plant Objects Manufacturing on the banks of the Spree.