Named the representative council for black associations, or CRAN, the federation aims to involve political parties, unions and other bodies in fighting discrimination.
Prejudice and exclusion have been cited among reasons youths from immigrant families spent three weeks rioting in the outskirts of French cities blighted by poverty and unemployment in late October and November.
The federation chose Patrick Lozes, leader of the Capdiv body that promotes diversity in France, as its chairman.
"Before the suburbs burn again, we have to take stock of ethno-racial discrimination in France," Lozes said.
Stephane Pocrain, a former Green party spokesman, said integrating black people in French society was key.
"What's really at stake is how to find greater social cohesion by reintegrating, both in the national story and in the national community, those who are permanently excluded from it because they have black skin," he said after a meeting organised at France's lower house of parliament, or National Assembly.
He said CRAN aimed to hold talks with bodies like France's employers federation, Medef, about diversity in companies.
The singer Manu Dibango, former footballer Basile Boli and Fode Sylla, the former president of anti-racist organisation SOS Racisme, are all members of the federation.
26 Nov 2005 22:06:58 GMTSource: Reuters