If my hair could speak

Dayan Kodua is a multifaceted talent: an actress, voice-over artist, author, and the visionary founder of Gratitude Publishing. Her journey began in Ghana, leading her to grow up in Kiel, Germany. Following her academic pursuits in business, Dayan chose to chase her passion, venturing into the world of acting with studies in Berlin and Los Angeles. Beyond her acting and voice-over career, Dayan is deeply dedicated to uplifting People of Color, striving to enhance their visibility as role models in society. Her commitment to this cause was exemplified in 2014 with the release of her photo book, “My Black Skin: Black. Successful. German.” This launch was accompanied by traveling exhibitions and a series of workshops, furthering the conversation on racial empowerment and representation. Dayan holds a special place in her heart for nurturing children’s inner strength, a theme poignantly explored in her children’s picture books “Odo” and “Odo and the Start of a Great Journey,” released in 2019 and 2021. Through Gratitude Publishing, she continues to champion the voices of diverse authors, providing a platform for their stories to reach and resonate with a wider audience

Nicole Gebel is an illustrator and graphic designer. Born and raised in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, she took her passion for design to Kiel in 2007. There, she studied at the Muthesius Academy of Fine Arts and Design, graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Design. Since then, Nicole has been working as a freelance illustrator and designer in Kiel, serving a diverse clientele. Art and illustration have always been significant parts of her life, with every aspect of her life serving as an influence and inspiration, particularly her childhood near the Baltic Sea. Her illustrations are known for their complexity and attention to detail.