Cover image: Promo graphic for I Needed Paris screening in Paris (cropped)

From May 28 – June 2, 2024, nine students from the Gordon Parks Academy (GPA) middle school in Wichita, KS visited Paris, France to walk in the footsteps of their school’s namesake, photographer/filmmaker/composer Gordon Parks.

Their various activities were video recorded and made into a 40-minute documentary entitled I Needed Paris, which was screened for the first time at the Tallgrass Film Festival in Wichita in October 2024.

Graphic for promotion of Tallgrass Film Festival Screening

In celebration of Black History Month 2025, on February 1, the documentary was screened at the bar of Restaurant le 47 (former home of Josephine Baker's second night club) in Paris' 8th arrondissement.

Façade of Restaurant le 47
© Entrée to Black Paris

The event was jointly organized by Professor D. Michael Cheers, director of the film and professor at San Jose State University, Sistah Circle Paris, the Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-déscendents, and the American Cathedral of Paris.

Brian Scott Bagley, founder of the Musée Joséphine Baker, acted as MC for the evening.  Speaking to a full house, he introduced Professor Cheers, who in turn, introduced the film.

Brian Scott Bagley
© Entrée to Black Paris

Professor D. Michael Cheers (standing at left) addressing the audience
© Entrée to Black Paris

Professor Cheers met Gordon Parks in 1971, when he was a photographer and writer for his high school school newspaper. Parks mentored Cheers, and the two men became friends.

For the past three years, Cheers has been a scholar-in-residence at the Gordon Parks Museum in Fort Scott, Kansas, Parks' hometown. He works on projects that keep Parks' legacy alive.

The film follows the GPA students and their educators through their preparation for the trip, their flight to Paris, and their activities in Paris.

Frame from I Needed Paris - Gordon Parks Academy in Wichita, KS
© Entrée to Black Paris

It incorporates interviews with multiple African-American expatriates, including singer and Wichita native, Joan Minor.  Minor spoke passionately about the impact that traveling and living abroad has had on her life, as did the other interviewees.

Frame from I Needed Paris - Gordon Parks Academy in Wichita, KS
© Entrée to Black Paris

Many scenes were devoted to following the students as they sharpened their photography skills and interviewing them about what they learned during the trip.

Frame from I Needed Paris - Student discussing photography
© Entrée to Black Paris

After the film, Professor Cheers presented a slide show of portraits of African Americans who are long term Paris residents.  I was pleased to be included in the portrait series.

Slide presenting portrait of Dr. Monique Y. Wells in the Luxembourg Garden
Image courtesy of Professor Michael Cheers

At the end of the evening, Professor Cheers announced that he will make I Needed Paris available for viewing at no charge.

Watch this space for news of when this occurs.