Michelle Grace

Florence Mills (1895-1927)
Dancer, singer, actress
Florence Mills was known to a barrier breaking performer with a "Harlem attitude." Mills began her career at the young age of four, when she appeared on stage in an all African American musical. Her big break was after a cabaret tour. In 1921, she starred in "Shuffle Along" as the lead!
Mills gave others a courageous encouragement that helped other African Americans believe and understand that if you are talented, then bless others. It doesn't matter what race or creed.

Ms. Mills was born with the name Florence Winfrey, Florence Mills was known to a barrier breaking performer with a "Harlem attitude." Mills began her career at the young age of four, when she appeared on stage in an all African American musical. Her big break was after a cabaret tour. In 1921, she starred in play called "Shuffle Along" as the lead!
Mills gave others a courageous encouragement that helped other African Americans believe and understand that if you are talented, then bless others. It doesn't matter what race or creed. People have called her one of the greatest entertainers this world has ever seen, which is quite a statement. Mills was the first black international female superstar of the twentieth century. She danced, acted, sang, and entertained. People that i knew her personally called her truly lovable, charitable, a socially and an intellectually aware woman.
What made Mills not just a singer or actress, is that she was a true Renaissance woman. She had that spirit of the renaissance, the jen-say-qua that said "I can sing, act, dance, and yes i am beautiful and black. I am proud of my people." That came with the presence from other people she influenced, such as Duke Ellington, and other people she worked with such as William Grant
Still, Eubie Blake, and others. She was truly a icon for the renaissance.