Black Paris Profiles™: Alecia McKenzie

Each month, our Paris Insights newsletter presents the hidden jewels that comprise the "real" Paris – the people and places that are the true heart and soul of the city.
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Alecia McKenzie
Photo credit: D. De Clercq

Alecia McKenzie is a Jamaican-born journalist, fiction writer, and artist, who moved from Singapore to Paris with her husband and children in 2008. I had the occasion to chat with her last December at a café where her paintings were being exhibited. It was then that I decided to ask if she would be willing to be the subject of a Black Paris Profile™.

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Entrée to Black Paris!™ is a Discover Paris! blog.

Bolt Victorious

Jamaica's Usain Bolt won the 100 meters at the Meeting AREVA last night with a time of 9.84 seconds. His countrymen Asafa Powell and Yohan Blake placed second and third, at 9.91 seconds and 9.95 seconds, respectively.

Bolt's footprints are to be installed on StadeFrance Boulevard at the Stade de France, where the meet was held, near those of French soccer star Zinédine Zidane. Inspired by Hollywood's Walk of Fame, StadeFrance Boulevard  was inaugurated in November 2008 in celebration of the Stade de France's tenth anniversary.

Photo by AFP

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  Entrée to Black Paris™ is a Discover Paris! blog.

Paris Parties Jamaican Style!

Yesterday, Paris celebrated speed, style, and song - Jamaica style!

Ad for the Jamaica Party in the Paris Metro

© Discover Paris!

 
Sprinter Usain Bolt, holder of the world's fastest times in the 100 m and 200 m dash, was the star of the day.  An event held at the place de l'Hôtel de Ville encouraged young and old to try their luck at outrunning a motorized, mounted cut-out of Bolt, and to clock their best time at the 100 meter dash.  These activities were a delight for lots of budding child athletes.

"Who Faster?"

Photo by Discover Paris!

Even the loss of a shoe did not dissuade this youngster from trying to catch up with the lightning-fast Bolt surrogate!

One-shoed runner

Photo by Discover Paris!

Participants received a set of inflatable "Bolt Arms," designed to mimic the pose that Bolt strikes during track and field events.

"Bolt Arms"
Photos by Discover Paris

Bolt held a press conference at the sportswear store Courir on the Champs Elysées at 3:00 PM, before joining friends and fans at the Hôtel de Ville to introduce the free concert held there in the late afternoon and evening.  Reggae greats such as Winston McAnuff and Alpha Bondy performed on a huge stage against the backdrop of the silhouette of a puma, symbol of the sponsor of the affair. 

Winston McAnuff and his band

Photos by Discover Paris!

Tonight, Bolt will run the 100 meters against Asafa Powell, compatriot and the man from whom he took the record in 2008.  Bolt, Powell, and several other contenders in this race have run the 100 meters in less than ten seconds, so it will be a closely observed contest. The competition is part of the Meeting AREVA, a track meet to be held at the Stade de France in the northern suburb of Saint-Denis.  It is scheduled for 9:46 PM.

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Want to read more about the hidden jewels that comprise the "real" Paris – the people and places that are the true heart and soul of the city – and receive our free guide called "Practical Paris"?  Click here to sign up for our newsletter announcements today!

  Entrée to Black Paris™ is a Discover Paris! blog.