Tracey ‘Africa’ Norman

Tracey Africa was an African-American fashion model who began her career in the 1970s.

She appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue and had contracts with Clairol and Avon.

It was not until she was on a photo shoot for Essence in 1981 that it came out that she was transgender. After the discovery the photos from the shoot were not published and companies were no longer willing to work with her and her modeling career ended.

Then after a biographical article was written about her in 2015 her career was revitalized. Clairol brought her back on to be the face of their Nice ‘n Easy campaign with the message being about the confidence that comes from living your truth.

She is one of only two openly trans women to appear on the cover of Harper’s Bazaar.