Unlike the stereotypical francophile's interest in food, wine and romance, author-illustrator Christiann Anderson's relationship with Paris evolved through a personal connection with African-American history. "My reason for coming to Paris was the work of James Baldwin. It was something I’d wanted to do since I was 13 years old," she explains.
Through literature, Anderson became interested in African-Americans who chose to leave the US and settle in Paris. "I wanted to know more what made France special to them."
Her latest book — “Paris Reflections: Walks through African-American Paris” — co-authored by Monique Wells, takes readers on six walking tours of places where African Americans have lived, worked and created. The guidebook highlights spots such as Richard Wright's former apartment on rue Monsieur Le Prince and the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, where Josephine Baker debuted in La Revue Nègre .
Although the thriving ’20s African-American community in Montmartre, known as "the Harlem of Paris" no longer exists, Anderson says she feels a link with the past. “For me walking through Paris is a daily celebration in honor of such people as Josephine Baker, James Baldwin and Langston Hughes.”
