Portia May White (June 24, 1911 – February 13, 1968), was a singer who achieved international fame because of her voice and stage presence. As a Black Canadian

Black Canadian

'Black Canadians is a designation used for people of Black African descent, who are citizens or permanent residents of Canada. The term specifically refers to Canadians with Sub-Saharan African ancestry. The majority of Black Canadians are of Caribbean origin...

, her popularity helped to open previously closed doors for talented blacks who followed.

Portia White was born in the town of Truro, Nova Scotia

Truro, Nova Scotia

-Education:Truro has one high school, Cobequid Educational Centre. Post-secondary options include a campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, as well as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College in the neighboring town of Bible Hill.- Sports :...

, Canada, to Reverend William Andrew White

William A. White

Reverend Captain William Andrew White, II, D.D. was an American-born Canadian missionary and World War I chaplain, the only black chaplain in the entire British Army during the war. He was the father of singer Portia White....

 and Izie Dora White,and was the third child in a family of 13. She made her musical debut at the age of six in her father's church choir.