Picturing Black History

Photographs and stories that changed the world

A collaboration of and

Church of God In Christ

American gospel singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe standing onstage, singing at the microphone with her guitar, at Cafe Society Downtown, New York City, December 11, 1940

The Godmother of Rock and Roll

The remarkable story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a forgotten founder of rock and roll.

© 2021–2024 This project is a collaboration of Getty Images and Origins: Current Events in Historical Perspective.

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