 In the U.S. we’re used to seeing black doctors, lawyers, news anchors, reporters, surgeons, and of course, business owners. In France however, it’s a different story. Last summer Paris got its first ever lead news anchor, a black man named Harry Roselmack who fills in for senior journalist Patrick Poivre d’Arvor’s (known as PPDA). No one expected it or saw it coming and the noise still hasn’t died down.
Phillipe Megange is what I like to call atypique in Paris too. He stands out because he’s a black Frenchman riding at the helm of his own company, Prestige Business Center . Like Roselmack, Megange has roots in Martinique and is changing the way people usually think about the black French population.
Overcoming Barriers
Born, raised, and educated in Paris, Megange started Prestige Business Center (and a couple of other companies to boot) in 1993 after having worked for another consulting agency. Knowing that it would be difficult, he decided to take on the challenge anyway, believing that “when we want to do something, we can.”
Prestige Business Center offers an air-conditioned meeting room for his clients and can accommodate up to 12 people. Fax, wireless connection, copying machine, water, and coffee are all available. Another plus? They have an English speaking staff. Flexible in availability, PBC only asks that you reserve at least 48 hours in advance. They can even accommodate weekend requests if the reservation is made ahead of time.
Megange’s company also offers mail-forwarding services. You have a company but you work out of your home? No problem. You pay to use PBC’s address as your own, they forward your mail to the address you provide (or you pick it up) and you’re set. They can even act as receptionist for you.
Located in the beautiful city of Saint Germain en Laye, which is a short ride from Paris (11.9 miles) on the RER A, Prestige Business Center sits in a nice location. Between meetings, seminars and conferences you won’t lack for things to do. Le Chateaux de Saint Germain (the castle), l’église de Saint Germain (the Saint Germain Church) and les petite rues make for a nice break.
During my interview with Megange I mentioned that Saint Germain en Laye is a very pretty city but also an expensive and prestigious one, which naturally adds to his success. But are clients surprised when they meet him for the first time? “When people come here they don’t see the color of my skin, but they see a nice building and a professional person in front of them who knows what he’s doing. That is what’s important,” Megange says.
Aside from running his own companies, Megange is an active role model as well, and attends conferences and educational seminars for university students. His goal? “To make young people understand that it’s up to us to modify our image, erase the stereotypes that West Indians are just lazy and looking for handouts. We have to jump over the barriers and show that we are dynamic and intelligent. We can’t wait for others to help us, we have to help ourselves,” he says.
Philippe Megange is indeed an excellent example of just that.
For rates, availability or more information about Prestige Business Center , please contact Philippe Megange at
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