GEORG OLDEN (1920 – 1975) was the first black executive of a major corporation also noted for his contributions to the television graphics field and leading the way for future black designers.
Born George Elliott Olden on Nov. 13, 1920, in Birmingham, Al., to James Clarence Olden, a Baptist minister, and Sylvia Ward Olden, a classically-trained singer and music teacher, Olden excelled in art from a young age. His family, which included older siblings James Clarence Jr. and Sylvia (who became the first person of color to work at the Metropolitan Opera as a vocal coach) had moved to Washington, D.C., where his father pastored Plymouth Congregational Church.
After becoming heavily involved in the civil rights movement, James Sr. abandoned the family in 1933, and six years later their mother died. Georg failed most of his classes in high school but continued to excel in art as well as swimming, winning a number of trophies. He graduated a year behind his class and attended Virginia State, drawing cartoons for the school newspaper, the Virginia Statesmen, and gaining popularity after establishing a reputation for wit and drinking.
In 1940, Georg proposed to aspiring actress Courtenaye Macbeth, who was three years older than him and had two small children. Because his sister Sylvia would not consent as his legal guardian, the couple was forced to wait until Georg turned 21 in order to marry, which they did on December 25, 1941.
Accentuating the female form, her work speaks for itself and often contained a mermaid quality starting off tight and fitting at the top and flaring with dramatic ruffles at the bottom.
Bryan grew up with his two brothers, two sisters and three orphaned cousins in the Bronx, and his parents ensured a strong sense of pride within their family. Growing up during the Great Depression, he says his childhood was filled with books, music and art, although resources were scarce (“The public library was like a second home.”) His mother sang while his father played the piano, and he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t drawing or painting. The alphabet book, which Bryan authored, illustrated and bound himself, received much praise from his teachers, family and friends, prompting him to continue creating these “limited editions” as gifts for loved ones.
While entertaining at a diplomatic function that same year, she received a gold bracelet from the British ambassador’s wife.Three years later she made her professional debut as a guest star on The Sons of Ham with vaudeville entertainers 
Florence became an overnight sensation, garnering one of the first black female fashion spreads in Vogue and Vanity Fair. There were Florence Mills dolls, and anything she did sartorially became the latest fashion trend. She also had her own silk stockings simply known as the Florence Mills shade. In 1924, Florence starred in Dixie to Broadway, which became another hit and offered her rendition of “I’m a Little Blackbird Looking for a Bluebird”, which became her signature tune, earning her the nickname Blackbird. 
