Bronzeville, a neighborhood near the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago, has a deep and rich history, significantly shaped by its Black LGBTQ+ community. Among its notable figures is Ma Rainey, often hailed as the "Mother of the Blues." Born Gertrude Pridgett in 1886, Rainey was one of the earliest Black American professional blues singers and an influential figure in the development of the genre.
Ma Rainey was known not only for her powerful voice and commanding stage presence but also for her boldness in addressing themes of love and sexuality, including same-sex relationships. Her song "Prove It On Me Blues" is famously suggestive of her bisexuality, making her a pioneering figure in queer history.
Her influence extended beyond music. Her legacy in Bronzeville, also known as the Black Metropolis, is part of a broader tapestry of cultural innovation and social progressivism, illustrating the intersection of race, sexuality, and artistic expression in shaping the area's dynamic history.
Learn more through the National Park Service
The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.
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Ma Rainey