Global France Seminar presents, Jacqueline Mpii Ngo: Paris through the lens of Little Africa: A contemporary perspective on cultures, economies, and places

Presented by: Jacqueline Ngo Mpii
CEO & Founder of Little Africa, Cultural Tourism expert, DEI advisor, and Cultural Ambassador

Little Africa as a neighborhood, a concept, a city guide, a cultural space, and a company that maps and amplifies Black presence in Paris and beyond

Abstract: Over a century ago African art profoundly influenced the Parisian avant-garde shaping the works of Picasso, Matisse, Derain and many others. It was also during this period that as Daniel Maximin notes in La France Noire “Africans Antilleans and African Americans met for the first time in Paris.” Today the traces of these cultural intersections are still visible—whether in art and gastronomy design and fashion music and literature—manifesting as infinite hybridizations.Yet beyond this historical legacy Black communities continue to actively shape Parisian identity not just as subjects of the past but as entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural innovators defining the city’s present and future. In this talk Jacqueline Ngo Mpii founder and CEO of Little Africa offers an insider’s perspective on how Black life is lived represented and transformed in contemporary Paris.

Jacqueline Ngo Mpii is a dynamic leader and the founder of Little Africa, a transformative platform dedicated to promoting the rich cultural heritage of Afro-Parisian scene. With over a decade of experience in the tourism industry,Jacqueline expertly connects individuals and corporations to African culture, creating a vibrant space for dialogue and collaboration in Paris. As a recognized cultural ambassador, she has made significant contributions to the arts and tourism sectors. Her acclaimed city guides on Africa in Paris have sold over 9,000 copies, providing unique insights into the cultural landscape of the African diaspora. Under her leadership, Little Africa has evolved into a multidimensional project that blends art, food, and fashion, enriching the local community while promoting African narratives. Since 2021, you can now experience her vision in a concept store – art gallery she opened in the 18th district of Paris, called the Little Africa Village. It is also in this same spirit that she curates meetings and cultural experiences, speaking session with numerous American universities including Emerson College, Yale University, Agnes ScottCollege, Parsons, NYU New York, MIT, AUP, Northeastern Illinois University, as well as private groups such as Le Boulé, Lancôme, Air France, Hyundai, Moneygram, Alec Lobrano, Nancy Silverton, and Yo-Yo Ma…

Jacqueline’s impactful work has garnered attention from prestigious media outlets. She has been featured in Huffington Post as one of the top travel entrepreneurs to follow, Paris Vogue, Los Angeles Times, Monocle, highlighted her expertise in Afro-tourism and black culture. Her recent features and contributions in El Camino, Travel Journal, Ethiopian Airlines (Selamta) and Out There Magazine further showcase her commitment to fostering cultural understanding and appreciation. Jacqueline is also proud to be a mentee in the Bank of America & Vital Voices program, dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs globally. Additionally, Jacqueline served as a DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) board member at Soho House for two years, contributing her expertise to the organization’s efforts in fostering inclusivity.

For more information on her work, visit Little Africa