Diana Ross before she was famous

The nobody years

1. 

   1958 Brewster-Douglass, 1958

   In 1958 her family moved into the Brewster-Douglass housing projects.

   Moved with her family to the Brewster-Douglass housing projects in Detroit. Source

2. 

   late 1950s Learning a trade

   At Cass Tech she studied millinery, pattern making and tailoring.

   Took classes in clothing design, millinery, pattern making and tailoring at Cass Technical High School. Source

3. 

   1960 Hair for extra income

   For extra income she did hairdressing for her neighbours.

   Was hired by Hudson's downtown Detroit store as its first African-American bus girl. Source

4. 

   1960 Windsor talent contest

   Then a talent competition across the river in Windsor, Ontario.

   Did hairdressing for her neighbours for extra income. Source

5. 

   1961 Motown signs them

   The win led to a Motown audition, and a 1961 contract.

   Signed to Motown with the group under their new name, the Supremes. Source

6. 1944

   Was born in Detroit, Michigan; her birth certificate recorded Diana although her mother had named her Diane. Source

7. 1959

   Joined the Primettes at fifteen after being introduced by Paul Williams. Source

8. 1960

   Won a talent competition in Windsor, Ontario, with the Primettes, which led to a Motown audition. Source

9. 1961-1963

   Watched eight singles in a row miss the Billboard Hot 100, earning the group the nickname the no-hit Supremes. Source

10. 1962

    Graduated from Cass Technical High School in January. Source

Reconstructions of documented moments, generated with AI. Not archive photographs, and not depictions of real people. © The Nobody Years