Charlotte 'Lottie' Gee

Charlotte "Lottie" Gee was born in 1886 in Millboro, Virginia. The details of her family and life remain obscure. Her career began in the early twentieth century as a dancing girl for the great Aida Overton Walker. In 1904, Gee appeared in James Weldon Johnson's musical comedy The Red Moon and other shows at that time. With Effie King and Lillian Gillman, she formed a trio, and then a sister act with Gillman. The two toured in vaudeville shows and Gee became a soloist with the Southern Syncopated Orchestra. When Gee, who played the part of Jessie Williams, introduced the song I'm Just Wild About Harry in the original Broadway musical comedy Shuffle Along also preempted New Yorkers' interest in black theatricals.

Throughout the 1920s, Gee appeared in other revues. Notable among these was Chocolate Dandies (1924), a musical comedy in which she played the part of Angeline Brown. Edith Spencer and Gee teamed up in 1928, and advertised themselves as Harlem Sweethearts. When Lew Leslie's Blackbirds revue was mounted beginning 1926, it helped advance the career of several famous Harlem Renaissance artists, including Florence Mills, and Aida Ward.

Mrs. Charlotte "Lottie" Gee Moy died on January 13, 1973. She is buried at Angelus Rosedale Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Sources: Black Women of the Harlem Renaissance Era edited by Lean'tin L. Bracks, Jessie Carney Smith; The Competitor (vol. 2-3, '20-'21); Edward Elcha, Photographer