Tracey Norman

Tracey "Africa" Norman is an American fashion model and the first African-American transgender woman to achieve prominence in the fashion industry. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1952, she has modeled for publications such as Vogue Italia, Essence, and Harper's Bazaar India, and has appeared in major advertising campaigns for brands including Clairol and Avon.

Norman grew up in Newark, New Jersey, primarily living with her mother while attending local schools, including Clinton Place Junior High and North Tech High School. Raised by parents who were both professional bowlers, she developed an interest in working on cars and was introduced to theater through an art teacher. Norman identified as female from a young age and came out to her supportive mother on the day of her high school graduation in 1972, after which she began her transition.

Two years after graduating high school, Norman began her modeling career in Newark, collaborating with makeup artist Al Grundy and his fashion designer brother. She was discovered in 1975 by photographer Irving Penn, who photographed her for Vogue Italia. Norman subsequently secured modeling assignments across the United States, appearing in hair commercials, catalogue work, and fashion shows. During this period, she moved to New York and landed an exclusive skincare contract with Avon, as well as a prominent feature on the box of Clairol's "Born Beautiful" Dark Auburn hair color, without disclosing her transgender identity.

In 1980, during a photo shoot for Essence magazine, a hairdresser's assistant discovered that Norman was transgender and informed the editor. As a result, her photos were withheld, her agency dropped her, and industry opportunities in the United States vanished. Seeking new opportunities, Norman moved to Paris with fellow models, performing at The Palace and later securing a six-month contract with Balenciaga.

After returning to New York, Norman faced limited agency bookings and began working in the ballroom scene. Joining the House of Africa in 1990, she adopted the name "Africa" and eventually served as the mother of the house for two or three years. Competing in categories such as face, body, and runway across multiple states, she earned numerous trophies and was inducted into the ballroom hall of fame in 2001. Throughout this period, she also acted as a muse for designer Douglas Says.

In December 2015, a profile on Norman published by The Cut brought renewed attention to her career. Following this publication, Clairol named her the face of its 2016 "Nice 'n Easy" campaign. That same year, she appeared alongside Geena Rocero on the cover of Harper's Bazaar, featured in a Lexus commercial, and was interviewed by publications including The Times of London and Marie Claire South Africa. In 2022, a full-length portrait of Norman by artist Mickalene Thomas was acquired by the Newark Museum of Art.