Bessie Smith and her mentor, Ma Rainey were bisexuals.

The director/writer/filmmaker was an intern at Frameline who produced the film in collaboration with HBO.

Both Bessie and Ma Rainey were cross-dressers.

The movie took 22 years to make.

Benny Goodman recorded with Bessie.

Queen Latifah portrayed Bessie and Mo’Nique portrayed Ma Rainey.

Dee Rees’ mentor was Spike Lee.

The Theater Owners Booking Association was dubbed Tough On Blacks Asses.

Bessie and Ethel Waters were contemporaries.

In a reversal of the paper bag test, as my friend Eve Harris said no yellow bitches will become the new no more wire hangers.