City of Erlangen honours Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana
Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana has been named an Honorary Citizen (Ehrenbürgerin) by the German city of Erlangen, receiving the municipality’s highest civic distinction. The honour is reserved for individuals whose contributions to the city and society are considered exceptional.
She is the second woman in Erlangen’s history to receive the title, following Dina Radkte in 2016. Since the distinction was introduced in 1822, just 55 individuals have been honoured: 53 men and two women. City statutes also limit the number of living honorary citizens to five at any given time.
The award will be formally presented at a ceremonial city council event this autumn. It recognises a lifetime dedicated to equality, democratic values and intercultural dialogue, and marks a significant moment not only for Erlangen but also for Germany and Europe.
Born in Bamako, Mali, and raised in Dakar, Senegal, Herzberger-Fofana’s life reflects a powerful blend of African heritage and European public service. She went on to study literature at the Sorbonne in Paris and later in Munich and Trier, earning a doctorate and teaching at several German universities, including Trier, Bayreuth and Erlangen-Nuremberg.
She has published widely on human rights, politics and the history of the Black diaspora, bringing an intercontinental perspective to her scholarship and advocacy. Her political journey began in Erlangen, the Franconian city she has called home for decades.
She served as a city councillor from 2005 to 2019, where she pushed for inclusion, diversity and intercultural understanding, helping shape the city into a more open and welcoming community.
In 2019, she made history as the first Black woman to represent Germany in the European Parliament, serving as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) until 2024 under the banner of the German Green Party. In Brussels and Strasbourg, she consistently advocated for migrant rights, anti-discrimination legislation and fair development partnerships between Europe and Africa.
Her election was celebrated not only in Erlangen but also by Black communities across Europe. Beyond policy and politics, Herzberger-Fofana has become a symbol of representation and possibility. For young African women in Germany and across the diaspora, she stands as proof that leadership and recognition can transcend race, gender and origin.
In announcing the honour, the Erlangen City Council, chaired by Mayor Florian Janik, praised her for making a lasting contribution to the city’s development and for promoting the well-being of its residents in an exceptional way.
Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana’s recognition goes beyond a personal accolade. It reflects a broader shift in Germany’s civic landscape, signalling growing acknowledgement of diverse voices and the role of African migrants in shaping Europe’s future.
Written by Oral Ofori
Oral Ofori is Founder and Publisher at www.TheAfricanDream.net, a digital storyteller and producer, and also an information and research consultant.
