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 personality, her contribution and achievements in the movie industry was often overlooked and she was placed into the archives of Hollywood’s past.

McKinney was born to young teenage parents in June of 1913 in Lancaster, South Carolina but was raised by her grandmother. She worked as a domestic for the Col. Sanders estate, the same family estates that McKinney’s family had been working for several years. She was sent to New York to live with her parents and the age of 12 and she began her acting career some time after. McKinney’s ability to entertain the crowds with her vivacious humor was often spoken of by family and friends. From the New York move, she went on to be cast in movies, such as Show People, Blackbirds and Hallelujah. Many stereotypes were created for Chick, McKinney’s character in Hallelujah: Black Temptress, Femme Fatale, Seductress and Vamp. Because of McKinney, Chick became the girl everyone loved to hate.

To read the rest of the article, click on the link above. Photo courtesy of Lipstick.Lace.Brassknuckles.