Dayan Kodua is a German actress, author and model of Ghanaian descent. She moved to Germany at the age of 10 and grew up in Kiel. In 2001, Dayan became the first and only black woman to win a beauty contest in Germany. Bookings from international brands, Thierry Mugler, Escada and Versace followed. After completing her training as a business assistant, Dayan followed her heart and studied acting in Berlin and Los Angeles. In addition to her work as an actress in TV films, cinema, and theater (including Tatort, Unter Verdacht, Fleisch ist mein Gemüse, Hallo Ella, Mephisto, and the award-winning Devil Inside Me) and as a voice artist, she is committed to empowering People of Colour and making them more visible as role models.
In America, Kodua worked in major productions such as Boston Legal, Passions, and the feature films Crank and Lords of the Underworld. She has also appeared in a number of German films and TV series, Shark Attack in the Mediterranean Balko, Wolffs Revier, and Auf Herz und Nieren. In 2011, she took over Hannes Jaenicke and Anne Will a voice in the video game “AJABU – The legacy of the ancestors”.
Kodua has initiated and sponsored some charity projects, including: working for the Michael Jordan Foundation on the Catwalk at the House of Blues, Los Angeles, in 2006 with Angie Stone and Snoop Dogg. She founded Dayan international, which is also making a mark for her homeland Ghana. As the patron of GhanaHelp, she is particularly interested in the Hamburg organization IMIC eV, which campaigns for education for people with a migration background. Dayan who has become a role model for Africans in Europe was on the cover of the first issue of African Heritage in Europe
In 2014, she published the photo book My Black Skin: Schwarz. Erfolgreich. Deutsch (Black. Successful. German), initiated a traveling exhibition, and organized related workshops. One of Dayan’s greatest passions is helping children recognize their inner strength. She addresses this theme in her children’s books Odo (2019) and Odo und der Beginn einer großen Reise (Odo and the Beginning of a Great Journey, 2021), both of which she wrote and published through her own publishing house.
In collaboration with Random House USA, Dayan translated and published the children’s book Emmanuel’s Dream – The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson, as well as I Am Enough by Grace Byers.
Other books published through her publishing house include the two New York Times bestsellers Ich singe dich von den Sternen zu mir herunter (I Sing You Down from the Stars). More children’s books are set to be released in the fall, including Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle and Dreamers by Yuyi Morales, also a New York Times bestseller.
At the end of August 2022, Dayan released the second volume of her photo book titled My Black Skin: Lebensreisen (Life Journeys). To accompany the release, she initiated a traveling exhibition that premiered at the Altona Museum in Hamburg and was later displayed at the Berlin Police Headquarters. With this, Dayan aims to raise awareness of racial profiling and to show that Black Germans hold significant and influential positions in society and are actively helping to positively reshape societal narratives. She has starred in a number of American and German movies and was honored ambassador for the African continent in Germany in 2005.
Dayan recently visited Ghana for the first time in 34 years. In this exclusive interview with Sunday Oyinloye, Publisher Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable, the woman who has become the face of Africa in Germany speaks about her career, future of Africa and other issues as they relate to the advancement of the continent .
Excerpts:
You are an actress, author, and model—why did you choose acting and modeling?
Growing up in Ghana, I was always drawn to storytelling and expression. After moving to Germany at the age of ten, modeling became a way to embrace my identity and challenge beauty standards. Acting, on the other hand, allowed me to dive deeper into characters and give voice to underrepresented stories. I studied acting in Berlin and Los Angeles and quickly realized that both worlds—modeling and acting—could be powerful tools for visibility, confidence, and change.
What were the initial challenges?
There were many. As a young Black woman in northern Germany, I didn’t see people who looked like me in the media or in powerful positions. I had to fight against stereotypes and limited expectations—both in the modeling world and on screen. Additionally, I was balancing my artistic pursuits with my economics studies, which made the early years intense and demanding. But I stayed focused and grounded in my purpose.
Did you ever dream that you would become the first Black woman to win a beauty contest in Germany?
Not at all. When I entered the Miss Schleswig-Holstein pageant in 2001, I didn’t imagine that I would become the first Black woman to win such a title in Germany. It was a big moment—not just for me, but for visibility. It created opportunities to work with renowned designers like Versace and Escada and gave me the platform to speak about representation and confidence from a place of lived experience.
What went through your mind when you won the contest?
It was surreal. I remember feeling proud—but also aware that I was carrying more than just a crown. It felt like a door had opened—not only for me, but for many other young Black girls in Germany who never thought they could belong on such a stage. I wanted to make sure that win became a seed for something greater.
You’ve starred in American and German films—how have you navigated the terrain as a Black woman?
It hasn’t always been easy. In the beginning, roles for Black women were either stereotypical or non-existent. That’s why I sought out training in Los Angeles and worked on American productions like Crank and Boston Legal. I wanted to build a foundation strong enough to bring something back to Germany—both creatively and professionally. Over time, I’ve been able to claim roles that reflect strength, depth, and complexity—and I keep pushing for more space and diverse representation in the industry.
How do you juggle writing, acting, and modeling?
It’s a matter of passion and structure. Each of these areas feeds the other: acting makes me more emotionally connected to the stories I write; writing allows me to share truths that don’t always get screen time; and modeling reminds me of the power of presence. I prioritize, plan well, and take time to recharge creatively. Most importantly, I stay connected to my “why.”
Would you like to talk about your books and the spirit behind them?
Of course. My books come from a deep place of love and purpose. In My Black Skin: Black. Successful. German, I portrayed over 20 Afro-German role models to inspire a new generation of dreamers. It’s about visibility, success, and the power of owning our own stories.
My children’s book Odo and its sequel tell the heartfelt journey of a Ghanaian girl and her dream of having a Black baby doll. She learns that dreams can come true—that we must believe in ourselves, take action to reach our goals, and have the patience to see them through.
The second book, Odo and the Beginning of a Great Journey, follows Odo as she leaves Ghana and moves to Germany. It’s a story of change, courage, and new beginnings—and in many ways, it reflects my own journey.
The third book, which will be published in 2026, explores Odo’s experiences as she enters a German school and faces the challenge of finding new friends. It’s a gentle but powerful story about belonging, resilience, and the importance of connection.
Through my publishing house, Gratitude Verlag, I want every child—especially Black and Brown children—to see themselves in books, to feel seen, valued, and empowered to dream big.
What are you doing to give back to your roots in Ghana?
Giving back is not just a responsibility—it’s a calling that lives deep within me. After spending 34 years in Germany, I returned to Ghana for the very first time. It was a powerful, emotional homecoming. To stand on the soil of my heritage, to hear the sounds, breathe the air, and feel the rhythm of Ghana—it moved something deep inside me. That long journey away made one thing very clear: time doesn’t break the bond we have with our roots—it deepens it. After all these years, returning made me ask myself: What can I give back? What can I build that lasts? Over the years, I’ve supported organizations and worked to build bridges between Ghana and Germany through storytelling, literature, and cultural dialogue. I believe in representation, in education, and in creating space for Black and Brown children to see themselves, be proud, and dream freely. But giving back also starts at home—in Germany, where I support many educational initiatives and community projects that empower children and young people. That work is part of honoring where I come from. Still, there’s a deep desire growing in me—to do more here in Ghana. I want to invest in local education, in literacy, in spaces where children and youth feel seen, supported, and inspired. Because I believe strong, confident children become strong, confident adults. And I want every child, whether in Ghana or Germany, to know this: your roots are your strength. Your story matters. And even if the road is long, where you come from will always be a part of where you’re going.
What is your message to African girls and young ladies?
You are enough. Your skin, your name, your background—they are your power, not your limitation. Don’t let anyone dim your light. Be proud, be bold, and take up space. Dream wildly and unapologetically. And remember: your story matters. I carry with me the image of the women I grew up watching—strong African women who walk with grace and strength; women who balance heavy loads on their heads, babies wrapped securely on their backs, and the weight of entire families in their hearts. Their resilience is quiet, powerful, and relentless. They teach us what it means to endure, to lead, to love fiercely and give generously, even when the world offers little in return. So when I say you are enough, I say it with them in mind; with their footsteps echoing behind me. Their strength lives in us. Their stories run through our veins. Be proud. Be grounded. And walk your path with the same fire they carry—unshaken, unbent, and beautifully whole.
Tell me something special the world doesn’t know about Dayan?
I’m someone who finds strength in vulnerability and joy in simplicity. I speak three and a half languages—Akan (Twi), German, English, and I’m learning sign language. I pray several times a day and practice meditation. But what many people may not see is how deeply I care about creating space for others. I believe in building communities, not just careers. For me, success means lifting others as I rise.
What are you working on at the moment?
Right now, I’m working as Executive Producer on a documentary project titled Crown or Class, which explores the significance of Black hair and the complex layers of identity, beauty, and social class. I’m also still acting and actively publishing through Gratitude Verlag. We’re entering an exciting new phase: we’ll be expanding the publishing house to include books for Young Adults and New Adults starting in the upcoming fall or spring season. Until now, we’ve focused primarily on children’s and youth literature—but we’re ready to grow and support even more diverse voices and empowering stories.
How do you foresee the future of Africa?
I see a continent full of untapped brilliance. Africa is rising—not only economically, but culturally and creatively. The youth are bold, connected, and visionary. I believe in an Africa that defines itself, tells its own stories, and leads globally in innovation, education, and art. The future is already taking shape—and it’s powerful.
