Heralded as one of the world’s first black superstars, the St. Louis born, French discovered triple-threat of Josephine Baker was celebrated earlier this week on what would’ve been her 108th birthday. With a fanbase old and new and Rihanna recently accepting her CFDA Fashion Icon award in an ensemble clearly inspired by her, we were reminded of the beauty of Baker’s humor and passion for the performing arts.

Below is a vintage clip of the “Black Pearl” dancing with her shadow…