Robin has dedicated over 20 years to highlighting the Black Diaspora in France. Robin studied French language and culture at the Université de Paris, Sorbonne and returned to her native San Francisco with the vision to bring Paris’ Black culture to the forefront. In 1998, Bates launched the award-winning, Café de la Soul * Your Black Paris Portal, the first website to highlight the African American community in Paris.
Bates began her foray into Black Paris tourism in 2000 and continues to lead annual African American heritage-themed tours to France. In 2008 Bates published her travel guide “Soul on the Seine, Your HIP Guide to Black Paris”, based on recommendations researched and shared via Café de la Soul over the years.
In 2013, Bates expanded upon the concept of Café de la Soul to create Maison Noire Américaine, a more comprehensive organization and resource with an additional focus on fostering friendship and a deeper sense of community between diverse French, African American & Afro-Francophone cultures.
In addition to her ongoing commitment to connecting and championing the Black Diaspora in America and France, Bates is an avid supporter of increasing African American student participation in study abroad programs. Bates resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her two children.
