2025
Rosa Emilia Clay was a teacher (in Tampere, Kuopio and Urjala), singer, and choral conductor born in 1875 in Omaruru, Namibia. She was the daughter of Feroza Sabina Hazara from the Bantu tribe and British merchant Charles William Clay. She was soon taken from her mother by her father and, at the age of four, adopted by Finnish missionaries.
In 1899, Rosa became the first African-born person to be granted Finnish citizenship. Facing racism, differential treatment and great personal loss, she left Finland for the United States in 1904.
On Rosa’s 150th birthday, 31 August 2025, we – some of her sisters from the future – gathered to honor and celebrate her life as the community she never had during her time in Finland.
Director/Artist: Sasha Huber
Rosa: Isabella Shaw
Community: Carla Nahadi Babelegoto, Sasha Huber, Anna Karima, Sarah Nakiito, Faith Mkwesha, Iida Valme
Producer: Jonathan Clabburn
Cinematographer: Alvi Pakarinen
2nd Camera: Amulio Espinosa
Music: Isabella Shaw
Sound design: Iain Grant
Editor: Jonathan Clabburn
Color grading: Hannu Käki
Stills photographer: Ananya Tanttu
Runners: Emilia Kabalu, Derek Okekeani, Iida Valme
Garments: Sofia Ilmonen
Thank you: Anna Rastas, Bindi Vora, Irene Omwami, Petri Saarikko
Archival photo of Rosa Emilia Clay by Impi Hermilna Backman (1889) / The Finnish Heritage Agency
Support: Arts Promotion Centre Finland
© Sasha Huber, Helsinki, Finland, 2025
