She has also taught at the Paris Institute of Political Science. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Tours. Her research focuses on U.S., African American, and Africana studies. She has held teaching positions at Bard College (Bard Prison Initiative), Barnard College and Columbia University. Based in France, Soumahoro is president of the Black History Month association. From 2013-2016, she served as an appointed member of the National Committee for the History and Memory of Slavery. In 2016-2017, she is Visiting Faculty at Bennington College and Columbia University-Barnard College.