Black History Month 2012 at the American Church in Paris

On February 17, 2012, the American Church in Paris hosted a Black History Month event for the first time in its history: a presentation on African-American pioneers in science and technology by Ellen Kountz.

Ellen Kountz at 2012 Black History Month presentation
© Jean-Marc Cresson
Ellen is a 21-year resident of Paris. She selected the theme of African-American scientists for her talk in part because she wanted to honor the legacy of her father, Dr. Samuel L. Kountz, who excelled at performing kidney transplants. Dr. Kountz was instrumental in advancing the cause of organ donation and transportation in the United States.

Ellen presenting the biography of Dr. Samuel L. Kountz
© Jean-Marc Cresson
Beginning her presentation with a quiz, Ellen asked the audience to select the date (out of four possibilities) that Black History Month began and the person who was responsible for its inception. She then went on to present the biographies of several African Americans from antebellum times to the present that were notably accomplished in science or technology. Some of the persons featured were Benjamin Banneker, Madam C. J. Walker, Granville T. Woods, Mae Jemison, and Norma Merrick Sklarek. The insights and anecdotal information that she shared about each of her subjects were poignant, sometimes ironic, and always inspirational.

Senior Pastor Reverend Scott Herr attended the event and shared a story about an African-American geneticist who is currently a member of the congregation of the American Church. It served as a reminder that often, African Americans in the sciences are working quietly, without fanfare, and are making significant and far-reaching contributions to science and medicine.

As well as addressing the general public on Friday night, Ellen gave her presentation to the Youth Group and the African Fellowship at the American Church. Encouraged by the interest that other organizations have shown in the talk, she is making plans for presentations at the American Library in Paris and the American Library in Nancy during Black History Month in 2013.

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Homage to Angela Davis

Angela Davis
March 28, 2006
Photo by Nick Wiebe
CAPDIV (Cercle d’Action pour la Promotion de la Diversité), a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of diversity in France, is organizing a tribute to Angela Davis for Black History Month 2012. L’Université des Mondes Noirs (the University of Black Worlds), l’ACSE (Agence National pour la Cohesion Social et l’Egalité des Chances [National Agency for Social Cohesion and Equal Opportunity]), the mayor’s office of the City of Paris, and CRAN (Conseil Représentatif des Associations Noires [Representative Council of Black Associations]) are partners in the affair.

The theme of the event is “Black Women and Feminism.” The flier that promotes the tribute indicates that:

For Angela Davis, black feminism considers sexism and racism to be always intertwined. The liberation of black women will liberate everyone, given that it will mean the end of exploitation of the races, sexes, and social classes. Angela Davis wrote a book about women blues singers of the 1920s [Blues Legacies and Black Feminism, Vintage (1999)] who contributed to the creation of working class feminism.

The homage will take place on February 25, 2012, from 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, including a cocktail at the conclusion of the event. The program consists of a half-hour jazz recital by songstress Laetitia NDiaye, the projection of a film entitled Angela Davis, Une Légende Vivante (Angela Davis, A Living Legend), and a debate on the question of black feminism. The panel for the debate includes Mme Maboula Soumahoro, specialist in African-American studies; M. Louis-Georges Tin, president of CRAN; and M. Paul Heutching, journalist.

Reservations are required. To reserve, contact CAPDIV by e-mail at contact@capdiv.org.

Les Femmes Noires et le Féminisme
Hommage à Angela Yvonne Davis
Black History Month 2012
Maison des Mines
270, rue Saint Jacques
75005 Paris
RER: Luxembourg (Line B)

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Black Paris Profiles™: Cheryl Pegues – Part 2

In Part 1 of Cheryl Pegues’ Black Paris Profile™, I presented Cheryl’s professional life and her love for Paris and the nearby town of Saint Maur des Fossés. Part 2 features her sentiments about the African-American community in Paris, her advice for those seeking to make Paris their home, her practice of Buddhism, and why she considers her life in France to be a success story.

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Cheryl Pegues
© Jean-Pierre Peersman
When I asked Cheryl how important is it to her to be associated with African Americans in Paris, she responded that she can’t put a level of importance on it – “it simply is.” She also had the following to say:

There are some truly fabulous sisters and brothers here in Paris, truly outstanding, and a privilege to know. It takes a while to sift through the fakers and takers and users and parasites and tourists, not to mention the sincerely mistaken and the lost that come to try their luck from America year after year. Americans can be so woefully ignorant about coming over to experience the “dream” that most unwittingly prefer to bring the dream with them, rather than risk an unfamiliar and unromantic version here . . . The people who have been here for a while are very much a part of the place they live in, as much to the benefit of their French hosts as to themselves, and it makes for a nice marriage.

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Black Paris Profiles™ is now available on Kindle.  Only excerpts are available on this blog.

To get your copy of Black Paris Profiles™, click HERE.

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

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Black Paris Profiles™: Cheryl Pegues – Part 1

Cheryl Pegues has one of the most fascinating stories that I’ve had the pleasure to follow over the years. She has experienced very difficult times personally and professionally in the City of Light (bankruptcy, serious physical and psychological illnesses, theft, heartache…) but has always come back stronger and more determined, and has consequently reached higher heights. Her saga is one of hard-earned success as an American in Paris. Part 1 follows below.

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Cheryl Pegues
© Jean-Pierre Peersman
Cheryl has lived in Paris on and off since 1981. She obtained a “long-stay” visa in 1995, studied at the Ecole de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne, and received her certificate in Draping on the Mannequin in July of that year. Changing her status from student to business owner in 1996, she opened a prototype development, pattern making and custom clothing atelier under her own name. Eventually, to make ends meet, she also began teaching English to entertainment professionals part time. Her textile business did not bring her the success that she hoped for, but she continues English training, coaching and consulting in various capacities today.

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Black Paris Profiles™ is now available on Kindle.  Only excerpts are available on this blog.

To get your copy of Black Paris Profiles™, click HERE.

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

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