Aylin (aka Kaz) is an author, presenter, and format developer working at the intersection of journalism, pop culture, and digital media. She is the face of the TikTok news format “nicetoknow” at the WDR Newsroom, where she covers political, social, and cultural topics relevant to younger audiences.

Maryam Aras (1982 in Cologne) is a German author, literary critic, scholar, and moderator. She studied Islamic Studies, English, and Political Science in Cologne and Bonn.

Schaho Balbas (born 1998 in Mannheim) is a Kurdish poet and curator based in Cologne. As the founder of KANAX4LIFE, he documents MENA diasporic life through literature, performance, and installation.