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Odessa Warren Grey (August 13, 1883 - April 28, 1960), a prominent milliner, entrepreneur, and performer in Harlem, New York. She is best known as the star of a recently rediscovered silent film, ''Lime Kiln Field Day'' (1913) where she co-stars with Bert Williams. ==Early life== Little is known of Odessa Warren's early life. According to her entry in Frank Lincoln Mather's ''Who's Who of the Colored Race: A General Biographical Dictionary of Men and Women of African Descent'' (1915), she was born in Greenfield, Ohio on August 13, 1883 to Edward A. and Sadie K. (Tyre) Warren.〔Mather, Frank Lincoln. "Grey, Odessa Warren." Who's Who of the Colored Race: A General Biographical Dictionary of Men and Women of African Descent. Vol. 1. Chicago: F.L. Mather, 1915. 123. Print.〕 However, the 1900 Federal Census lists Edward and Sadie Warren as having been married for six years (or since 1894), with daughter Odessa aged 17.〔1900 Federal Census for Borough of Manhattan (New York County Enumeration District 720, Sheet 3-A, Lines 20-24 (West 40th Street ))〕 Odessa Warren exhibited a number of talents from an early age. An accomplished seamstress, clothes designer and milliner, she also was a dancer and singer in minstrel shows, vaudeville, and the musical productions that heralded the beginning of the tradition of African-American musical theater. She, with her cousin, actress Madge Warren (born Madge Wadkins), were in the traveling companies of Williams and Walker's ''The Policy Players''(1899-1900).〔 New York Dramatic Mirror, 9 September 1899, p. 4; Brooklyn (NY) Standard-Union, 20 March 1900, p. 3 〕 After Madge left the stage to marry the world lightweight boxing champion Joe Gans,〔"Fistiana and Thespia in a Matrimonial Bout," National Police Gazette, 12 April 1900, p. 14〕 Odessa continued on the boards, and in 1902, joined Williams and Walker's production of ''In Dahomey''. In 1903 this production, with music by Will Marion Cook and lyrics by Paul Laurence Dunbar moved to New York City, where it became the first black musical to open on Broadway.〔Charters, Ann. Nobody: The Story of Bert Williams. (The MacMillan Company, London: 1970) p. 69.〕 When the show went to London, she went also, returning to New York City with the company on the S.S. ''Aurania'' in June 1904.〔Supplemental Manifests of Alien Passengers and Crew Members Who Arrived on Vessels at New York, New York, Who Were Inspected for Admission, and Related Index, compiled 1887-1952. Microfilm Publication A3461, 21 rolls. ARC ID: 3887372. RG 85, Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787-2004; Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service; National Archives, Washington, D.C. ancestry.com〕 In 1906, again with her cousin Madge (who was separated from her husband)〔 "Trouble for Gans," New York Morning Telegraph, 1 August 1905, 15; "Divorce for Madge Gans," Indianapolis Freeman, 25 July 1908, 5 〕 Odessa Warren was in Ernest Hogan's show ''Rufus Rastus.'' 〔 "Rufus Rastus Company. Indianapolis Freeman, 5 September 1906, p. 5 〕 Odessa Warren continued on the stage while attending to the costume needs of the women of the theatrical profession. In 1908, she announced her retirement from the stage, in order to "confine her labors in the direction of business pursuits." She decided to go full-time as a milliner after making the "Bon Bon Buddy" hats for the women of the "Williams and Walker Show, and was praised in the highest terms by the management for her work."〔"Odessa Warren Quits Stage to Engage in Business," The New York Age, 5 March 1908, vol. 21, no. 23, 6. Print.〕 Her millinery business was called the "Pioneer millinery establishment by Negroes in Harlem" in a newspaper article in February 1921. Mrs. Grey started the business in her home and then moved to a small shop at 41 W 135th Street, Harlem. Her business continued to grow and after five years, moved to a larger location at 2221 Seventh Ave. In 1921, the store reportedly had one of the largest stocks of any millinery store in Harlem, and had trained and employed several young women as milliners .〔"Pioneer Millinery Store Odessa Warren Grey Opened Shop Ten Years Ago." The New York Age 26 Feb. 1921, 34th ed., sec. 23: 1. Print.〕 In June 1909, she married musician and actor Joseph W. Grey (1879-1956).〔"Joe Grey and Odessa Warren Marry," The New York Age, 1 July 1909, vol. 22, no. 39, 7. Print.〕 Mrs. Grey continued to prosper in her business, and also continued to participate in social and entertainment-oriented affairs, including presentations designed for charitable purposes where she either supplied costumes, or actually performed, or both. For example, in May 1909, "Miss Odessa Warren" participated in a benefit for the "Children's Home" of St. Philip's Episcopal Church of Harlem, that was organized by Aida Overton Walker, Richard C. McPherson and John E. Nail and held at the old Grand Central Palace at Lexington Avenue and East 43rd Street. Coming on after the opening number, Warren, with fellow dancer and actress Maggie Davis (who later married Jesse Shipp) gave a spirited rendition of Joe Jordan's "That Teasin' Rag"; "Misses Davis and Warren are considered two of the best chorus girls in the business, and they lived up to the reputations they established." 〔Walton, Lester A., editor. "Music and the Stage." The New York Age, 9 May 1909, vol. 22, no. 31, p. 6〕 In January 1912, Odessa Warren Grey was crowned “Queen Odessa” at the New Star Casino during a Mardi Gras celebration.〔"Crowning of King and Queen." Rev. of Celebration/performance at New Star Casino. The New York Age 25 Jan. 1912, vol. 25., no. 17: n. pag. 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