France is renowned for its delectable cuisine, but the African American influence has made people search for soul food restaurants in Paris more than ever before.
The first time Robin Bates, founder and CEO of Café de la Soul and founder and executive director of Maison Noire Américaine, saw Paris was during a study abroad program in 1989. The experience impacted her tremendously and shaped the foundation of her illustrious career for over three decades.
“For the past 35 years, I’ve been in a never-ending love affair with African American history as it pertains to France. I’ve made it my mission to share information not just about our history and culture but that of the Black diaspora in France as well.”
In 1998, Bates launched the award-winning Café de la Soul, a Black Paris portal. It was the first website highlighting Black Americans in Paris and the top places to experience the Black diaspora in Paris.
In 2013, Bates founded Maison Noire Américaine, a nonprofit reimagining of Café de la Soul. For over a decade, the organization has curated and organized a range of events, from film screenings and discussions at the Oakland International Film Festival and the San Francisco Black Film Festival to hosting galas, pop-up dinners, artist talks, and author book signings.
Bates, in collaboration with Maison’s assistant director Constance Bryan, aims to foster cross-cultural understanding by educating the public about the presence, history and contributions of African Americans in France. Together, their multifaceted work helps to build bridges between communities that share a deep appreciation for both the Black diaspora and French cultures.
Celebrating Black Culture in Paris
“It’s literally impossible to walk through Paris and not encounter some form of Black American culture,” Bates states. “To me, it speaks to the power of Black American culture and how influential we are globally. I would love to see that undeniable impact more prominently reflected in our community’s footprint.”
By Quia Bethea
