Photographed by Rokiatou Kaba Paris, France

Joséphine Baker (1906-1975) forever impacted European Black culture in the 20th century. She influenced the creative world for many Black artists in Paris and even had an impact in the United States. Paris is called the “City of the light” because it was the heart of art, creativity, and living differently (Whiting, 2015, pg 14). Baker is originally from Saint Louis, Missouri, and then she eventually travels to New York City to start her career. She secured a place in a chorus line and used her humor in her performance to connect with the audience in Black art culture(Caravantes, 2015, Pg 25). Baker later travelled to Paris, and this was when her influence and impact changed the Black culture. She was the first Black woman to be in a motion picture and was awarded prestigious awards for her work with the French resistance. She was known as a great performer but implemented changes in different aspects of Paris.

HULTON ARCHIVE//GETTY IMAGES