Black Excellence: Willie Mae Wong
https://aaregistry.org/story/willie-mae-wong-musician-born
Willie Mae, also affectionately known as “Rabbit,” was one of the original members of the International Sweethearts of Rhythm. They were the first multi-racial all-female big band in America. Wong had no visible musical skills when she was recruited to the group as a 15-year-old. She was out on the street playing stickball when they picked her up.