Marie Nejar was born in Germany in 1930 to a German mother and Ghanaian father. She had a difficult childhood as one of the few people of African descent in Nazi Germany. During this time, she was used as a propaganda tool and acted as an extra in Nazi films. After the war, she became a popular singer known as "Leila Negra" but grew tired of perpetuating racial stereotypes. She later became a nurse and published her autobiography about growing up biracial in Nazi Germany.

1. Sister in Europe: Who we are…(3) Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra (Germany) © Uncaged Birds™

2. © Uncaged Birds™ Just Another German Girl Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra

7. Hamburg, Landing Bridge, 1935 Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra © Uncaged Birds™

10. Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra © Uncaged Birds™ Poster for the 1952 German film “Toxie” which dealth with prejudice against (illegitimate) Afro-German children after the war

12. Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra © Uncaged Birds™ A scene from the film „Münchhausen“ with black extras

16. Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra © Uncaged Birds™

19. Marie Nejar (aka “Leila Negra”) and popular Austro-German entertainer, Peter Alexander, performing their smash hit, “ The Sweetest Fruits ” Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra © Uncaged Birds™

21. A medley of Marie Nejar’s (aka “Leila Negra”) most popular songs, including “ Don’t Look So Sad, Just Because You’re A Picaninny ” (“ Mach‘ nicht so traurige Augen, weil du ein Negerlein bist“) Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra © Uncaged Birds™

26. Marie Nejar’s Autobiography “ Don’t Look So Sad, Just Because You’re A Picaniny: My Childhood in the Third Reich” Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra © Uncaged Birds™

27. On Tuesday, 3 August 2010, I had the honor of conducting a telephone interview with Marie Nejar. Most of the information contained in this profile is based on that interview. I would like to thank Ms. Nejar for her time, her graciousness, and her willingness to share with us all the story of her life! (And I definitely plan to drop by for coffee the next time I’m in Hamburg…) Marie Nejar aka Leila Negra © Uncaged Birds™

28. Uncaged Birds™… is a collection of confidence- and skill-building programs created especially for women of African descent living and working in Europe. Let’s be our own rôle models ! As women of color in Europe, rôle models who look like us are often few and far between. That’s why Uncaged Birds ™ is regularly spotlighting women of African descent living and working in Europe and their story – so everyone will know… … who we are!

29. Uncaged Birds™ … … poised to take FLIGHT!