Unsung Heroes
In my Black Woman course, my class was divided into groups and took part in focusing on the Black woman's contribution to the music, arts, sports, media, etc. My group focused on the media and sexuality, but I was fascinated by a girl in my class who recapped the early, hidden life of Early Black Hollywood. I was familiar with Josephine Baker and Dorothy Dandridge but I had no idea who the Black Garbo aka Nina Mae McKinney was until this class. I had to write about her for inCOLOR Magazine. Before Beyonce played Carmen, Dorothy Dandridge was the original. Before Meagan Good became a cinematic sex symbol, Nina Mae McKinney was the first to do it all. Dubbed the ‘Black Garbo’ after the popular actress Greta Garbo[and garbo being the Italian word for grace and politeness], Nina Mae McKinney was the first Black movie star of the early 20th century. A multifaceted performer, she did more than act; she was a singer, band leader and comedienne. Big and bright in both talent and personal