Canada History Week
Portia White: The African-Canadian contralto singer who won international acclaim
Portia White was a teacher and singer, and the first African-Canadian contralto to win international acclaim.
“Nobody ever told me to sing. I’m the daughter of a Baptist minister - I was born singing.” From humble beginnings in Truro, Nova Scotia, Portia White would go on to conquer the international stage as one of the best classical contraltos of the 20th century. Learn her story in her own words in our new video for #CanadaHistoryWeek2022.
Credits:
Illustrator – Raoul Olou
Produced by Bonfire Originals
Music – Think on Me, Portia White. Used with permission of the White family, www.portiawhite.ca
Image – Portia White (Yousuf Karsh/Library and Archives Canada/PA-192783).