#bricktop

Ada 'Bricktop' Smith was an African-American Jazz singer, dancer and entertainer. She owned famous nightclubs in Paris (the renowned 'Chez Bricktop' in Pigalle), Mexico city and Rome.

She started her career when she was 16, performing in Vaudeville circuits and in Harlem at Barron's Exclusive Club. Her career was a very enduring one and she performed across the world well into her eighties. She wrote her autobiography, Bricktop by Bricktop, published in 1983 by Welcome Rain Publishers. She also broadcast a radio programme in Paris from 1938 to 1939, for the French government.

She was dedicated throughout her life to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the largest and oldest American civil rights organisation, formed in 1909 to advance justice for African Americans. According to Josephine Baker's son, Jean-Claude, a homosexual himself, and as recorded in his own mother's biography, titled Josephine - The Hungry Heart, Baker and Bricktop were lovers for a time, early in their careers.

From her very first scene in the very first episode, we see how badass she is.

Bricktop is a prostitute and a black woman in 1910. She could hardly be lower on society’s ladder. Still, she defends herself against one of the most powerful men in New Orleans, and is completely unapologetic, even though he could probably have her arrested, or at least fired. 

Others may look down on her, but she is going to keep her dignity, and as much autonomy over her own body as she can.

We also see that Bricktop has enough intelligence and integrity for Louis to trust her with the accounting of his business. 

Then, when Louis’s anger causes him to put up a “no whites allowed” sign, Bricktop is quick to tell him that “this is a stupid fucking business plan”. 

To celebrate Pride Month this year Dean made 30 portraits of queer people from history!

Starting at the top left there is Tamara Łempicka, Ada “Bricktop” Smith, Sappho, Magnus Hirschfeld, Sophia Parnok, Reinaldo Arenas, Rita Hester, Brenda Fassie, Yosano Akiko, Federico García Lorca, Joël Gustave Nana Ngongang, Holly Woodlawn, David Kato, Luisa Isabel Álvarez de Toledo, Albert Cashier, Osh-Tisch, Carmen Rupe, Rotimi Fani-Kayode, Salim Halali, Michelle Cliff, Langston Hughes, Marlene Dietrich, FannyAnn Eddy, Chrystos, Maryam Khatoon Molkara, Sir Ewan Forbes, Frida Kahlo, Josephine Baker, Jackie Shane, and Lou Sullivan.

You can read about them all on makingqueerhistory.com and buy them on Redbubble

Ada "Bricktop" Smith (deceased)

Gender: Female

Sexuality: Bisexual

DOB: 14 August 1894  

RIP: 1 February 1984

Ethnicity: Irish, African American

Occupation: Dancer, jazz singer, club owner, actress