Owing to its overseas territories e.g. in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans, France has the largest black population in Europe. However, knowledge concerned with the black French population is sorely lacking, in fact it continues to be produced solely at the margins of society.

This is true of the life of Joseph de Bologne de Saint-George, also known as Chevalier de Saint-George (see image), an outstanding fencer and composer whose identity became evident only at the beginning of the 21st century.

Committed to offering free access to the stories and experiences of black French and black Europeans for a broader audience, this page will soon feature a series of documents that will foster the debates of the black French and black European diasporas. If you are based in France and wish to participate in our endeavour, please contact us at 12blackbeans@gmail.com