French Community Events in Maryland

Priya Prakash Royal is a recognized tax law and cross-border planning expert with over 16 years of experience representing clients on sophisticated and international trusts and estates law, business law, and related tax issues, including those affecting nonprofits and persons with cross-border interests. She is a former IRS Estate Tax Attorney and admitted to practice in DC, MD, NY, NJ, and PA. At the IRS, Priya audited prominent and ultra-high-net-worth estates and gifts. Priya founded the Royal Law Firm PLLC in 2009, representing a similar clientele, and has structured sophisticated estate and gift plans on transferring domestic and international intergenerational wealth, business succession/asset protection, and charitable planning. The firm has developed an international family collaboration to further women's empowerment by furthering opportunities for exceptional legal professionals. She has also served as an expert witness addressing sophisticated tax and planning issues and has been retained as a tax consultant by other legal professionals. In addition to running the Royal Law Firm PLLC, she is Of Counsel for a prominent New York-based law firm and advises on the firm’s international tax matters. She remains committed to making women empowerment and diversifying the face of wealth. Through the Royal Law Firm PLLC, she has developed a multinational family collaboration between India and the US supporting exceptional legal professionals in the field. Priya is on the Board of STEP Mid-Atlantic as Treasurer. She is also on the Tax Steering Committee at the DC Bar and was the Vice-Chair of the DC Bar Steering Committee in Estates, Trusts, and Probate Law (ETPL). She was named Rising Star by Super Lawyers in 2021. She is a frequent speaker and author in the tax and trusts & estates field. She has been published by the ABA, Bloomberg Tax, and various trade journals, including Heritage Auctions, and is a frequent speaker at bar associations, national, and international conferences and events, including the DC Bar, NAPABA, SABA, USPTO, National Appraisal Institute, AIP, and various podcasts. She is an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) and International Trusts and Estates Practitioner (TEP) and was awarded Trailblazing Attorney of the Year by the DC Bar Communities. Priya has a JD and LL.M. from Villanova, a BA from Rutgers, and an MBA from APUS. She is conversant in Hindi, Tamil, Spanish, and French.

Founded in 1975, the Alliance Française de Frederick serves as a vital cultural bridge for the Frederick, Maryland community, connecting residents with the richness of French and Francophone heritage. This 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operates as part of the global Alliance Française network, which traces its roots back to 1883 in Paris and represents the world's oldest and largest organization devoted to promoting French language and culture internationally. The local Frederick chapter is led by a passionate volunteer board and team of engaged community members who share a deep commitment to making French language and Francophone culture accessible and welcoming to everyone. The organization's leadership includes individuals with authentic connections to France and Francophone regions—from native French speakers to those who have lived abroad and developed profound appreciation for French heritage. What distinguishes the Alliance Française de Frederick is its inclusive, community-centered approach. Rather than simply offering classroom instruction, the organization creates a welcoming environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can explore French culture through conversation groups, cultural celebrations, and shared learning experiences. The Alliance recognizes that language learning is about building connections—to culture, to history, and to people. By hosting events that celebrate Francophone diversity and fostering inclusive programming, the organization strengthens the social fabric of Frederick while honoring the cultures of French-speaking communities worldwide. The Alliance Française de Frederick demonstrates that cultural organizations thrive through volunteer dedication and community support, creating spaces where language, art, and human connection flourish together in service to the Frederick area.

Since 1883, Alliance Française has grown into the world's largest non-profit network dedicated to advancing French language and culture globally, and Alliance Française de Baltimore carries on this legacy of cultural exchange in the heart of Baltimore, MD. The Baltimore chapter serves as a unique cultural hub where community members connect with French language and the diverse cultures of French-speaking nations. With over 40,000 participants engaged across 103 North American Alliance Française locations, the Baltimore organization provides a welcoming environment for learners at all levels to immerse themselves in French culture and language. The organization's commitment to quality is guaranteed through the Charte Qualité certification from the Fondation Alliance Française in Paris, reflecting decades of expertise in language education and cultural programming. Alliance Française de Baltimore operates as an entirely member-supported non-profit, embodying a grassroots commitment to cultural preservation and community engagement. The organization's essential missions include making French language education accessible to everyone, offering current perspectives on the multifaceted nature of French and French-speaking cultures, and celebrating cultural diversity through authentic programming. By becoming a member or participating in classes and cultural events, Baltimore residents support a global mission that has touched millions of lives since the first Alliance Française opened in Paris. The Baltimore community benefits from this international network's resources while maintaining local autonomy and cultural relevance.

Since 1969, Alliance Française d'Annapolis has served as a vital cultural bridge in the Edgewater, Maryland community, connecting people who share a passion for the French language and francophone cultures. Operating as a non-profit local branch of the prestigious international Alliance Française organization, this institution has built a legacy of bringing together diverse individuals—from native speakers to cultural enthusiasts—in an atmosphere defined by warmth, intellectual curiosity, and genuine camaraderie. The organization's mission extends beyond simple language promotion; it creates meaningful spaces where cultural exchange becomes a vehicle for personal growth and community building. Members of Alliance Française d'Annapolis benefit from a supportive network that values both the preservation of French traditions and the celebration of contemporary francophone voices. The organization understands that learning a language is fundamentally about connecting with people and cultures, which is why every program and event is designed with relationship-building at its core. For nearly five decades, Alliance Française d'Annapolis has remained committed to fostering conviviality—that distinctly French concept of warm, friendly togetherness—while nurturing genuine curiosity about the diverse cultures of the French-speaking world. The organization stands as a testament to the power of cultural organizations to strengthen community bonds and enrich the lives of those they serve.