Little Africa Village — Local services in Paris

In February of 2022, I was invited by Little Africa Paris and The Californien to do a book reading and discussion at The American Library in Paris. Because my book came out during the height of the pandemic, all of my book events had been virtual until then. This — my first trip to Paris — was a dream come true for me and my work.

Patrick Banks, founder of The Californien (which represents Little Africa Paris) is a creative and strategic genius in partnering with institutions and artists to craft programming and events that entertain and enlighten audiences. In addition to the book event, my literary trip included exploring some of the city's hottest restaurants (thanks to my excellent hosts), as well as great bookstores, parks and museums. One of the absolute highlights was getting to visit Little Africa's brick-and-mortar shop, which is a cornucopia of beautiful jewelry, textiles, books, foods and arts and crafts sourced from around the world, thanks to the shop's brilliant owner, Yaqui Ngo Mpii. The downstairs area includes a gorgeous event space. After spending some time shopping, Patrick showed me around the neighborhood in which the shop sits: La Goutte d'Or, an African neighborhood rich with history, markets and some of the most delicious food you'll find in the City of Lights.

On your next trip to Paris, put a visit to Little Africa Paris and La Goutte d'Or on the top...

From the moment you walk into Little Africa Village, you can FEEL that you've entered someplace special.

Bringing together a thoughtfully curated melange of items representing the Continent via skilled local artisans, owner Jacqui has created not just a space of commerce but an energy that makes you think you've actually come home.

In addition to visiting, I also had the honor of having my debut multilingual children's book make its Paris debut at this haven. It was an experience beyond what I could have hoped for that still makes me smile every time I think about it!

In a city as grand and magnificent as Paris, there are so many places to overwhelmingly draw your attention. And Little Africa Village is most definitely a must-see for any visitor and...

In June 2022, I organized a study abroad experience for 20 Yale University students centered on African entrepreneurship, artistry, and activism in France’s capital city, Paris. The catalyst for the desire to create this experiential learning experience was Little Africa. From project inception to creation, Patrick and Jacqueline worked with us every step of the way. They helped us find our hotel, acted as a program base for us to host workshops and curated memorable experiences for our group. Thanks to Little Africa, the students learned so much about La Goutte D’or and Black entrepreneurs living and working throughout Paris. Without Little Africa’s team, our trip would not have happened. We are so...