Here is a listing of publicized events of What’s On for Black History Month in Paris – most in the Anglophone community. I’ve also added a few events that are perfect for spontaneous celebration and appreciation.
But first, did you know that the father of Black History Month, Carter G. Woodson, gained some of his international perspective as a student abroad at
Carter G. Woodson, father of Black History Month
the Sorbonne University ? There, already fluent in French, he did graduate work in history with French-speaking professors. He is said to have visited fellow student René Maran, who went on to became the first Black in France to receive the prestigious Goncourt literary prize. There’s also a possibility he was influenced by the vogue of African art that was showing up in public places and in artists’ work.
Of course, there’s no more perfect Black History Month in Paris party than to take a Black heritage tour. If you plan to visit this month or live in Paris and have been putting it off, why not gather some friends and family, make your own party – with our guide!
You can access our list of tours and download the pdf on this page here.
Black History Month in Paris events listed in order by date.
February 2 at 7:30 pm
American Library in Paris
“Forgotten: The Untold Story of D-Day’s Black Heroes, at Home and at War” by Linda Hervieux, journalist and photographer.
This story pays tribute to the valor of an all-black battalion whose crucial contributions at D-Day have gone unrecognized to this day.
In the early hours of June 6, 1944, the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, a unit of African-American soldiers, landed on the beaches of France. Their orders were to man a curtain of armed balloons meant to deter enemy aircraft. One member of the 320th would be nominated for the Medal of Honor, an award he would never receive. The nation’s highest decoration was not given to black soldiers in World War II.
(Note: Linda will also be presenting her book at the Alliance Française San Francisco on February 27th. Julia Browne of Walking The Spirit Tours will be co-speaker at the event.)
February 3 at 7pm
Residence of the United States Ambassador
Reception in honor of Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis on the occasion of the orchestra’s performance in Paris.
By Invitation Only.
January 4 at 8:30 pm
Olympia Concert Hall
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis.
Tickets here
February 4-29. Opening Launch February 3 at 6pm.
Beauford Delaney exhibition : Resonance of Form and Vibration of Color
Wells Foundation has spearheaded a groundbreaking exhibit on the works of Paris-based painter Beauford Delaney.
Registration required for all events.
Register here
SCHEDULE
3 February – 6 PM: Vernissage
8 February – 7 PM: Textes & Voix – spoken word artist Mike Ladd talks about jazz and the works presented in the exhibition
16 February – 6:30 PM: Private presentation of exhibition for AARO
17 February – 4 PM: Global Educator Program round table
18 February – 6 PM: Round table discussion – “Multiculturalism in Today’s Art World”
20 February – 2 PM: Panel discussion on STEAM Education and Multiple Intelligences
21 February – 3 PM: Celebration of Beauford’s life in Paris
25 February – 6:30 PM: World Premiere Screening of Paris Noir – African Americans in the City of Light by Joanne Burke, director, editor of the ‘When African Americans Came To Paris’ series. Julia Browne of Walking The Spirit Tours will be presenting the film and taking Q & A.
Feb 4 – March 12
Dorothy’s Gallery
Exhibition of Gerald Bloncourt – Le Regard Engagé (The Engaged Eye)
A major figure in French and Haitian art, Bloncourt displays his talents across multi-disciplines – painting, poetry, photography, literature. From an early age, he involved himself in the Haitian cause, contributing to the Center for Haitian Art’s efforts to spread national art on the international scene.
This large scale retrospective reveals a prolific output that speaks of his love of life and humanity. Bloncourt received the Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters in 2015.
What is Dorothy’s Gallery? Also known as The American Center of the Arts, DG is a one of a kind venue in Paris. It creates a bridge between French and American artists but also enables other artists of other nationalities to widen their network across boundaries.
February 13 at 2:30 pm
Musée Dapper
Conversation with Ta-Nehisi Coates, journalist, writer, essayist of ‘Between The World And Me’.
The event marks the release of the French version of his book Une colère noire.
The book is a letter from the author to his 15 year old son casting a clear-eyed and disturbing look at the condition of African American life. It is said to be bedside reading of choice for President Obama and hailed as a classic by Toni Morrison.
Un colère noir is prefaced by Alain Mabanckou who considers Coates as his brother from America.
Free entry, reservations recommended at (011.33) 01.45.00.91.75 or reservation@dapper.fr
The conversation will be simultaneously translated into French.
Also at the Dapper in February: several French-language film screenings, African storytelling and Creole comedy events. See their Facebook page for listings.
Feb 16 – April 3.
American Library in Paris
Exhibition honoring the late poet and long-time Paris expat James A. Emanuel.
“Poetry is important because reading it, and certainly writing it, brings the whole man and woman into activity. A person reading a new poem expects to encounter unusual combinations of familiar words…We might claim that reading or writing poetry could lead to revolutionary thought. Dictators keep their eyes on libraries, and in our truly thoughtful moments we know why.”
— James A. Emanuel
An often overlooked figure of American letters, his fame did not equal the enormous output of his work. Through his lifetime, Emanuel published 400 poems and 13 volumes of poetry, including an autobiography called The Force and the Reckoning. He was a well-respected teacher who influenced a whole generation of students and poets. In 1999, he was one of the first to match jazz music and haiku poetry through his collection of poems Jazz from the Haiku King.
The exhibition will present photos of his family and friends, engravings made by his close friend and collaborator, Godelieve Simons, and books of poetry from the Library collection, including from fellow poets such as Gwendolyn Brooks, Nikki Giovanni, Don Lee, and Bob Kaufman.
On a personal note, James was the first African American I met in Paris who spontaneously invited me into his home and life. He lived on the top floor walk up at Montparnasse and he showed introduced me to his poetry and to the personal tragedy that led him to move permanently to Paris in the first place. I’ve never forgotten his kindness.
Feb 17
U.S. Embassy’s Cultural Service hosting concert “The Roots of American Music”
at Hotel Talleyrand on. Soprano Nicole Taylor accompanied by Daniel J. Ernst. By invitation only.
Other Interesting Opportunities to Celebrate Black Culture This Month
February 25 at 8:30 pm
Rokia Traoré
104 Centquatre, 5 rue Curial, 75019
An exclusive concert from the very talented Malian singer, composer, multi-instrumentalist for the launch of her 6th album called Ne So.
Tickets 25 Euros, info and purchase online here
And for sports fans:
The Nike Magista Obra 2016 Black History Month Cleat is a one-of-a-kind design, set to be worn only by Paris’ favorite soccer team Paris Saint-Germain’s midfielder Blaise Matuidi in the league clash against Olympique Marseille on February 6.
The unique pattern draws inspiration from the African culture, features distinctive geometric motifs and uses a vivid Pan African-inspired color palette.
If you know of other events or venues celebrating Black History Month in Paris, please drop us a quick comment!
