Laura Nsafou is a French novelist & children’s book author known for her blog Mrs. Roots. As the daughter of a Congolese father and Martinican mother, her father’s immigration history combined with her own experiences as a Black French woman have influenced her writing. Through her work, Nsafou has cemented herself as an important voice in Afro-feminist literature in France and continues to explore vital DEI topics like anti-blackness and seek fair representation of black women in French culture.
Nsafou’s writing career began at the early age of 16 with the publishing of her first novel Callie, Just You and Me. She also ran a successful blog commenting on the diversity of African and Afro-descendant literature and Afro-feminism in France under the pseudonym Mrs. Roots. In 2018, she published her first children’s book Comme un Million de Papillons Noirs (Like a Million Black Butterflies) while simultaneously finishing the young adult trilogy Our Burned Days, an afro-futurist quest inspired by west-African mythologies and beliefs.
We are excited to welcome Laura Nsafou on Wednesday March 19, 2025, at French Immersion School of Washington as the featured author of Les Troubadours: a traveling youth literature festival organized by SJJ Agency. Les Troubadours aims to celebrate French language and Francophone cultures by promoting Francophone artists in the United States and Canada. As a part of the 2025 Francophone Week celebration, the festival will focus on themes of diversity, equity, and inclusion through literature. Les Troubadours festival will run throughout March 2025 and will have stops in Portland, Seattle, and Montréal.
Laura Nsafou's visit to FISW is an amazing opportunity for our students to speak with an author who has not only been successful, but who also continues to use her platform to break down stereotypes and present Afro-feminism on a global stage. Students will have the opportunity to ask Nsafou questions and learn more about her creative process, passion for literature and her experience in utilizing different literary mediums to tell impactful stories. Experiences like these can only enrich students as exposure to people of diverse backgrounds encourage critical thinking, open mindedness, and empathy.
FISW is committed to providing opportunities for our students to explore topics and speak with those of diverse backgrounds. In addition to the March 19 event for students, Les Troubadours will also be hosting a public event in French: Diversity and Inclusion – How to Talk to the Youngest. This event will be at the Northwest African American Museum on Thursday March 20, 2025.
Les Troubadours from SJJ Agency presents an exciting opportunity for to our students, family and community members. We are excited about Laura Nsafou’s upcoming visit and hope to see you all at the evening event on March 20.
Interesting ressources:
Bad Feminists and Femme Fatales: The Many Faces of French Feminism with Laura Nsafou https://frenchly.us/bad-feminists-and-femme-fatales-the-many-faces-of-french-feminism-with-laura-nsafou/
Laura Nsafou, autrice afro-féministe : le coup de cœur de Tahnee
Conversation with Laura Nsafou - Diversité en littérature jeunesse et BD : Bilan & Perspectives
The Northwest African American Museum tells stories of Black excellence for all visitors
Sylvie Joseph-Julien
Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters
Founder & Director Sjj agency – a nonprofit organization that promotes French language and Francophone cultures through comic arts and youth literature in the United States and in Europe.
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