What does it take to lead a cultural revolution in one of the world’s most creative cities?
For Luanny, CEO of the Berlin Music Commission, the answer lies in resilience, connections, and a belief that culture is not just an add-on to life, it’s the foundation of a thriving city.
Her story, from navigating two cultures as a Brazilian raised in Hamburg to shaping Berlin’s music scene, is a powerful testament to what’s possible when you refuse to wait for permission to belong.
This is how Luanny is Unboxing The Future of Berlin's Music Scene.
“Take your seat at the table, even if you are not invited"
Luanny’s journey was shaped by the courage to stand firm in spaces where she wasn’t always welcomed. Growing up in Hamburg, she often felt caught between her Afro-Brazilian roots and German societal expectations. Her grandfather’s legacy of resourcefulness, despite being unable to read, taught her that limitations can be overcome with creativity and determination.
Her story is a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt underestimated: claim your seat, and don’t wait for the world to catch up to your worth.
Berlin’s music scene is legendary, but behind the beats is a network of people fighting to keep the city’s cultural heart alive. At the Berlin Music Commission, Luanny leads efforts to connect artists, policymakers, and institutions, ensuring that creatives have the tools, resources, and support they need.
From advocating for fair work conditions to creating spaces where collaboration flourishes, the BMC’s mission is clear: to protect and nurture the city’s creative pulse.
“When I told my parents I wanted to work with culture, they asked, ‘Are you sure?’
Luanny knows firsthand how undervalued cultural professions can be. For many creatives, the road is marked by skepticism, both societal and personal. Her mission is to change that.
She believes re-education must start with parents. When children are told it’s okay to dream of being musicians, artists, or cultural leaders, not just doctors or lawyers, their relationship with those professions transforms.
Luanny’s vision? A society that values culture as much as any other profession, seeing its role in shaping connection, innovation, and identity.
Berlin’s creative scene is no stranger to challenges, rising rents, funding cuts, and economic uncertainty threaten its very foundation. But for Luanny, these hurdles are also opportunities.
Her Afro-Brazilian heritage informs her leadership style: it’s all about creating spaces for gathering, problem-solving, and collaboration. Whether through a family meal or a city-wide initiative, she knows the power of bringing people together to drive change.
If there’s one thing Luanny’s journey teaches us, it’s that resilience is built step by step. Here’s how she suggests we create a better future for culture and creatives:
So ask yourself:
What’s your role in supporting the creatives and changemakers shaping our world?
How can you help build spaces where connection, resilience, and innovation thrive?
It’s time to take your seat, and make space for others to do the same.
-----------------------------
On January 16th, we brought the conversation live to hear the audience takes on the Future of Berlin's Music Scene and make them jam with us!
Check here the video recap of the live event!
-------------------------------
Take part in the conversation, come to the release events, suggest topics, meet the guests
