Harcourt photographs of Josephine Baker
© Entrée to Black Paris

Seventy-one years ago, the NAACP declared Sunday, May 20, 1951 "Josephine Baker Day" to honor Baker's work to advance civil rights.

On Friday, May 20, 2022 – for the first time – Josephine Baker Day was celebrated in Paris.  

A magnificent evening unfolded at the Restaurant Le 47 at Hôtel Château Frontenac, the establishment that housed Josephine's second cabaret in Paris.  Chez Josephine Baker opened at midnight on November 20 at 43, rue François I, just two doors down from the restaurant.  (Number 43 no longer exists.)

The inimitable Brian Scott Bagley, founder of Le Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-Descendents de Paris, organized this event.  He was called away to the Cannes Film Festival at the last minute, so he welcomed guests and thanked them for attending via a prerecorded video. 

Brian Scott Bagley on video
© Entrée to Black Paris

Poet and artistic theologian Victor André Greene, who served as the event's solo Master of Ceremonies, was warm and witty throughout the evening.  

Victor André Greene
© Connie Fredericks-Malone

Members of the Bouillon-Baker family were among the attendees who packed the house.  Delphine Martins Bouillon-Baker, daughter of Luis Bouillon-Baker and granddaughter of Josephine; her husband, Jérôme Martins; and their lovely daughter, Noémie Martins; enjoyed the show from the table next to mine. I was delighted to discover that Luis Bouillon-Baker – the third adopted son of the Rainbow Tribe – is the president of Le Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-Descendents.

L to R (foreground): Delphine Martins Bouillon-Baker, Jérôme Martins, Noémie Martins
© Entrée to Black Paris

Le 47 served a four-course gourmet, Baker-themed meal that began with a glass of champagne and included a surprise – a small serving of verrine bolognaise (pasta with meat sauce) that was said to be Baker's favorite dish.  Greene knew that his French wasn't quite up to the task of announcing the menu, so he unabashedly asked a friend of Bagley to help him.  The lovely Camille Schomoeker happily obliged.

Camille Schomoeker
© Entrée to Black Paris

Entertainment consisted of a mix of live music and video recordings.  Lorena Masikini sang several classics, accompanied by musicians playing bass, electric piano, and electric guitar.  Masikini will star in "Josephine Sings," a show that is scheduled to be performed at the Château des Milandes on Josephine's birthday this June 3.

Lenora Masikini
© Connie Fredericks-Malone

Lenora Masikini and band
© Connie Fredericks-Malone

Ms. Amanda Beauville-Diouf, director of the short film entitled "Freda," addressed attendees briefly prior to showing a clip from her production.

Amanda Beauville-Diouf
© Connie Fredericks-Malone

The audience was enthralled by video clips of Cab Calloway's daughter, Camay Calloway, and grandson, Peter Brooks.  In the first clip, Brooks introduced himself and his mother, Camay.  In the second video, Camay Calloway told the story of how her aunt, Blanche Calloway, and Josephine Baker performed together in Noble and Sissle's Shuffle Along.  Marveling that she still remembered the words, she went on to sing France's national anthem, "La Marseillaise."

Camay Calloway on video
© Entrée to Black Paris 

On the wall opposite the restaurant's bar, three shelves within a glass-enclosed nook were lined with artifacts from Le Musée Joséphine et des Afro-Descendants.  Magazines, books, two of Baker's medals, and photos were among the items displayed.

Le Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-Descendents de Paris
© Entrée to Black Paris

Souvenir from the film ZouZou
© Entrée to Black Paris

Magnificent Harcourt photographic portraits of Baker were displayed in the dining room, and a Harcourt representative spoke about the studio's gift of these images to the Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-Descendents de Paris in support of the museum's fundraising efforts.*

Harcourt photos of Josephine Baker
© Entrée to Black Paris

Harcourt representative on video
© Entrée to Black Paris

Near the end of the evening, Schomoeker read the statement Lisa Simone (daughter of Nina Simone) prepared for the inauguration of the Josephine Baker plaque at Baker's first cabaret in the 9th arrondissement.  The posing of the plaque was also the result of Bagley's tireless pursuit of the preservation of Baker's legacy.

Scheduled to end at 11 PM, attendees had such a good time that several people lingered at the restaurant until after midnight.  There's no better sign of a successful event!

Photo portrait of Josephine Baker
Le Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-Descendents de Paris
© Entrée to Black Paris

*To purchase Harcourt photos in support of Le Musée Joséphine Baker et des Afro-Descendents, contact Brian Scott Bagley:

Email - museejosephinebakerparis@gmail.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/museejosephinebakerparis

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/museejosephinebakerdeparis/