3rd Annual Brothers Spring Gala and 1st Annual Tannie Awards

The 3rd annual Brothers' Spring Gala took place on Friday, May 31 at the Café Barge in Paris' 12th arrondissement. This year's event was an historic occasion because it was also the first time that the Brothers' Paris presented the Tannie Awards.

“The Brothers” created the Tannie Awards as a means of preserving the legacy of its founder, Tannie Stovall, “in a positive and elegant manner.” Stovall was a graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Minnesota with degrees in Physics (B.S., Ph.D.). He was a civil rights activist, historian, writer, investor, and film producer. A long-time Paris expatriate and a patron of the African-American community in Paris, he was one of 24 expatriates featured in Black Paris Profiles – a Discover Paris! publication that celebrates the contemporary African-American and Afro-Caribbean experience in the City of Light.

Tannie Award
(photographed on a dark background)
© Discover Paris!
By creating the Tannie Awards, The Brothers seeks to support, spur, and increase the entrepreneurial spirit in the African-American community in Paris and to give a sense of meaning and purpose to the annual Spring Gala, which will henceforth be called “The Spring Gala and Tannie Awards.”

The evening began with music by The Brothers Jazz Combo, featuring Sulaiman Hakim on saxophone, Minh Pham on piano, Felipe Solive on bass, and Eddie Allen on drums,

The Brothers' Jazz Combo:
© Discover Paris!
Sulaiman Hakim plays amidst the audience
© Discover Paris!
and a lovely three-course meal with wine.

An excellent meal!
© Discover Paris!
Old friends gathered to renew contact and new acquaintances were struck.

Brian Scott Bagley
© Discover Paris!
Jake Lamar, Linda Lee Hopkins, and Faye Hutchinson
chatting and laughing before the ceremony
© Discover Paris!
Les Theard, Colin Gravois, and Hamida Gravois
© Discover Paris!
Three artists displayed their work:

Romain Gana, Denis Herelle, and Yao Metsoko,

Romain Gana, Denis Herelle, and Yao Metsoko
© Discover Paris!
and artist/curator Cheryl Ann Bolden mounted an exhibit from her Precious Cargo museum.

Cheryl Ann Bolden and Precious Cargo
© Discover Paris!
Trumpetist and Tannie Award nominee Boney Fields joined the band for a few songs.

Boney Fields
© Discover Paris!
Then the anticipated award ceremony began. Several persons took the stage to introduce the nominees for awards in eight categories:

Entrepreneur of the Year
Zachary James Miller: Miller Stovall Sarl / for the production of Sebastian starring Eric Roberts
Marcellous Jones: Fashion Insider TV / Co-Producer Of Men's Fashion Insider
Kathleen Dameron: KD Conseil
Ricki Stevenson: Black Paris Tours
Nicole Pembrook: Nicole's Polished Hair Care
Kim Kimberly: Zen Artitude Bed and Breakfast

Literature and Writers
Jake Lamar: Brothers In Exile
Monique Wells: Black Paris Profiles
Priscilla Lalisse-Jespersen: Stockdale and Next of Kin
Barbara Chase-Riboud: Sally Hemings
Sharon Morgan: Gather at the Table

Politics
Curtis Young: New Chairman of the Minority Caucus of Democrats Abroad France
Zachary James Miller: Obama Re-election trailblazer / Zachary James Miller / Facebook
Paulette Johnson: Democrats Abroad France / Obama Re-election trailblazer

Visual Arts
Barbara Chase-Riboud
Ealy Mays
Kim Kimberly
Richard Allen

Entertainment
Linda Lee Hopkins: Gospel For 100 Voices
Boney Fields: Live At Jazz à Vienne
Ricky Ford: Sacred Concert CD
Michele Hendricks: Me And My Shadow / Highly Acclaimed International Tours
Janice de Rosa: deRosa / Afro Blues CD

Fashion
Rebecca Ayoko: fashion model
Mohamed Dia: Creator of Dia-Wear sportswear
Marcellous L. Jones: Fashion Insider TV / Co-Producer Of Men's Fashion Insider

Webzines, Blogs and IT
Monique Wells: Discover Paris!
Tom Reeves: Paris Insights
Marcellous L. Jones: The Fashion Insider
Pricilla Lalisse-Jespersen: PrissyMag.com
Robin Bates: La Jolie Media Noire and Café de la Soul

Film, Theatre, Dance
Zachary James Miller: Sebastian (film) starring Eric Roberts
Barry Johnson: Whoopi Goldberg's Sister Act (musical) / over 200 shows performed at the Theatre de Mogador in Paris
Joanne Burke: When African American's Came To Paris (film)
Julia Browne: When African American's Came To Paris (film)
Brian Scott Bagley: Boylésque Show / THBUZZ / Trés Honoré (musical)
Rick Odums: Centre International de Danse (dance) /

Lifetime Achievement Award
Jon Hendricks: Entertainment
Hal Singer: Entertainment
Velma Bury: Visual Arts
James A. Emanuel: Literature and Writers
Tony Clarke: Film, Theatre, Dance

The winners were:
Entrepreneur of the Year: Kathleen Dameron
Literature and Writers: Jake Lamar
Politics: Paulette Johnson
Visual Arts: Barbara Chase-Riboud
Fashion: Marcellous L. Jones
Entertainment: Linda Lee Hopkins
Webzines, Blogs, and IT: Monique Y. Wells (yes, I'm thrilled!)
Film, Theatre, Dance: Zachary James Miller
All nominees for Lifetime Achievement won awards:
Jon Hendricks
Hal Singer
Velma Bury
James A. Emanuel
Tony Clarke
After the ceremony, the true party began! Winners, nominees, and guests danced until the wee hours of the morning. Boney Fields, Sylvia Howard Sanders, John Meldrum, and Toli Nameless were among those joining the jazz ensemble on stage to share in spreading the love and joy.

Me with my Tannie Award
© SamBg Photographer
Looking forward to next year!

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Black Paris Profiles™: Tannie Stovall

Interview conducted, recorded, and transcribed by Ellen Kountz

Tannie Stovall was a pillar of the contemporary African-American community in Paris. A graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Minnesota with degrees in physics (B.S. and Ph.D., respectively), he came to Paris with his family in 1964 to work as a research assistant at the Ecole Normale Supérieure and eventually became an associate professor at the Université de Paris. He began writing fiction in 1967 and continued to pursue this activity throughout his adult life. He and his family moved to Nigeria in 1971, where he worked as a physics professor at the University of Ife. He became disenchanted with the level of corruption he observed in the country and moved back to Paris after two years. As founder of the African-American men’s group “The Brothers,” Tannie sought to provide a welcoming environment and a supportive network for African-American men in Paris, whether they were tourists or residents.

Tannie succumbed to pancreatic cancer in June 2012. Just a few weeks prior to his death, he agreed to grant this interview. Black Paris Profiles™'Ellen Kountz graciously consented to conduct, record, and transcribe it for the Black Paris Profiles™ series.


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Tannie Stovall
Photo from The Brothers Web site

ETBP: It’s been a long time since you came here to work as a research assistant at the Ecole Normale Supérieure. Have you kept yourself informed about what is happening in the field of physics since you retired?

TS: I have not however I still subscribe to scientific magazines in English.


ETBP: What advice do you have for blacks in physics (or any other scientific field) who want to work in Paris?

TS: If they are Americans, I’d say they’d be better off remaining in the United States. Opportunities for success are greater back home. This was not the case 50 years ago, because in Europe after a World War everything was destroyed and needed to be rebuilt. The French built up their armament and there was a surge in demand back then.

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2nd Annual Brothers Spring Gala

Just over a year ago, I published a guest blog posting by Romello Rivers that announced the 1st annual Brothers Spring Gala. Well guess what! It's that time again!

The Brothers Paris are hosting the 2nd Annual Brothers Spring Gala - A Celebration of African-American Culture - on Sunday, June 3, 2012. It will be held at

Le Café Barge
5, port de la Rapeé
75012 Paris
Metro: Gare du Lyon (Line 1) or Quai du la Rapeé (Line 5)
www.cafebarge.com
Time: 8 PM until...

Dining room at Le Café Barge
Photo courtesy of The Brothers Paris
This will be an evening of dance, live jazz, hip-hop, soul, gospel and blues music. There will also be an "exquisite holiday feast," along with an African-American art exhibition and poetry.

The Brothers' guest of honor is founder Tannie Stovall.

Tannie Stovall
Screenshot from "Talking to Tannie" video by Joseph Langley
There will be a special birthday tribute to Josephine Baker (b. June 3, 1906).

General admission is 15 euros per person, including one free drink.

Admission is free if you choose to dine. Dinner (55 euros per person) includes apéritif, first course, main course, dessert, wine (one bottle per three persons), mineral water, and coffee.

Reservations are required. To make yours, call: 33(0)1 40 02 09 09 or reserve online at:

www.cafebarge.fr/reservation/.

For a group reservation of 8 or more, contact:
Richard Allen: richartstudios@yahoo.com 06 64 85 79 39
Zachary James Miller: zacharyjames@hotmail.com
Joseph Langley: obrojo@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you there!

The Brothers Gala is a "3rD Floor" Production.

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Invitation to the African-American Community of Paris

When I was interviewed by Joe Langley for his radio show The Universe of Joseph Langley in March, Joe mentioned a gala event that would be sponsored by “The Brothers Paris” later in the spring. Read the guest posting by Romello Rivers below to find out what it is all about!

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The Brothers Paris Spring Gala!
By Romello Rivers

Romello Rivers
© Franz Fox Kennedy
“The Brothers” is an organization of African American men in Paris that has been in existence since October 1995, when Tannie Stovall – civil rights activist, PhD, writer, historian, and film producer – began hosting weekly receptions for African-American men after being inspired by the “Million Man March.”

Over the years, Stovall’s guests have included a steadfast group of African-American men based in Paris, and have also included guests from the U.S. and other parts of the African Diaspora. These guests come from all walks of life, and include prominent businessmen, men of letters, social scientists, entertainers, writers, painters, artists, fashion and media personalities…just to name a few.

The topics of discussion and passionate debates usually center on issues relating to African Americans, including Africa, politics, history, philosophy, business and current events. One night, during a discussion of the fantastic history of African Americans in Paris, the idea was put forth that we should organize a cultural celebration!

Now, for the first time in Paris, the African-American community will come together to celebrate its culture...and share that celebration with the world!

Please consider this your personal invitation to join the festivities of “THE BROTHERS PARIS SPRING GALA!” The event will take place on Sunday evening, May 22th, 2011 on a beautiful riverboat called Le Café Barge, which is docked just behind the metro Gare du Lyon. The festivities will include an exquisite dinner, live jazz, blues, and R&B concerts, jam sessions, DJs, dancing, poetry, book signings, a vernissage featuring African-American artists, and much, much more…

Le Café Barge docked on the Seine
Photo courtesy of Le Barge Café

Over 15 entertainers and a few "surprise" celebrity guests will be performing! Everyone is welcome!!!

The Event and Admissions

Dinner includes:
Apéritif, starter, main course, dessert, wine, mineral water, and coffee

(Wine is one bottle per 3 persons.)

55 Euros per person, 11 Euros per child (there will be a children’s menu available)

Reservations are required.

Or you may just come for the music, concerts, dance and events:

Concert, DJ, dancing starts at 9pm

Admission: 15 Euros per person (Includes one free drink)

Date: Sunday May 22
Time: 8pm until…
Location: Le Café Barge
5, port de la Rapée
75012 PARIS
Metro: Gare du Lyon or Port du la Rapée
http://www.cafebarge.com/

Dinner at twilight on Le Café Barge
Photo courtesy of Le Barge Café

Dinner and Show Reservations:

Send your RSVP to thebrothersparis@hotmail.com,  then send your check made payable to Cafe Barge to the address below:

Zachary Miller
25, rue des Apennins
75017 - Paris, France

Dress code: upscale casual, semi-formal, dress to impress!

“Tell a friend to tell a friend!”

At the very minimum, The Brothers Paris Spring Gala! will be a fun, elegant affair, with delicious food, passionate music and dance, inspirational art and words.... Reaching its maximum potential, this will be nothing less than an "historic event" and a "signature moment" in the ongoing story of African Americans in Paris!

Sincerely yours, we remain,
The Brothers

The Brothers Paris Spring Gala! May 22, 2011

"Say it loud!"

a "third floor" production

For information about The Brothers, visit The Brothers Paris Facebook Page or The Brothers Paris Web site.

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