“We were delighted to have the opportunity to host Marcellas Reynolds at the GRAMMY Museum for a Member Program to discuss his newest book release, Supreme Sirens: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Music. Marcellas was a dynamic and engaging presenter and storyteller, who beautifully, and at times hilariously, shared backstories about his life, career, and the creation of his books. It was a wonderful and insightful program, and we’re happy to have had the chance to learn more about Marcellas and his incredible journey!” — Lindsey Darnell, Membership & Advancement Manager, The GRAMMY Museum
“In 2024, The Peabody Essex Museum hosted Marcellas Reynolds to a sold-out in-conversation celebrating the release of his third book, Supreme Sirens: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Music. Reynolds approached his engagement with an unadulterated vulnerability that encouraged instant human and emotional connection. He was captivating and highly informative. Our audience laughed and cried, as they metaphysically journeyed along with Marcellas on his trek to realizing the Supreme Series. It was truly an enchanting evening. Host Reynolds today! I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.” — Petra Slinkard, Director of Curatorial Affairs and the Nancy B. Putnam Curator of Fashion and Textiles, Peabody Essex Museum, 2024
“Our private equity firm is known for thinking outside the box. In line with this, we successfully combined the Pride x Black Employee Resource Groups and selected a speaker representing both sectors. Marcellas Reynolds led an insightful conversation based on each Supreme book—Models, Actresses, and Sirens. The captivating talk kept the audience fully engaged. The fact that no one was on their phones is a testament to his talent as a speaker!” — KKR, 2024
“The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum was honored to host Marcellas Reynolds, author of the Supreme Models book and producer of the docuseries of the same name, for an evening of film and discussion. The intimacy of the docuseries and the historical significance of the book were certainly not only a revelation of the rise of the Black model in the fashion industry but also a tribute to those who have endured. Mr. Reynolds’ down-to-earth style and willingness to engage with the audience made the evening our most successful program to date.” — The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum, 2022
“Talented, captivating, and supreme! Marcellas Reynolds is a true writer, documentarian, and world-class storyteller who can uncover hidden truths and vulnerable life moments. I had the pleasure of co-chairing the mid-west premiere of his documentary, Supreme Models, at the Chicago History Museum. His presence on the stage was undeniable. When he speaks, the whole world listens. It will be an evening that I and the 200-plus people in the room will never forget. We look forward to his future projects so we can have him back in Chicago to experience his gift and magic once again.” — John Rogers, The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum, 2022
“In the third of his celebratory series on ‘Iconic Black Women,’ Reynolds tracks through the evolution of Black female performers and the music industry they inhabit. From Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, and The Pointer Sisters to Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Rihanna, this almost exhaustive collection of pictures, interviews, and accolades is enough to enchant you in its own right.” — Daily Mail
“This is the book your coffee table has been begging for. In photography, biographies, and interviews, Reynolds showcases the indelible impact that artists like Rihanna and Billie Holiday have left, whether it be through their music or outfits. But this isn’t a superficial page-flipper—it’s a compilation of resilience and perseverance bound to inspire anyone who reads it.” — Marie Claire
“From images of Grace Jones to SZA, Reynolds gives an account of history in the most significant way he knows how. The author pieced this opus together through photos and interviews to celebrate Black women and their accomplishments.” — Essence
“Inspired by the Marcellas Reynolds book, Supreme Models: Iconic Black Women Who Revolutionized Fashion, Supreme Models follows a vanguard of Black models who not only changed the industry but helped reshape standards of beauty beyond fashion.” — British Vogue
“Stars including Hattie McDaniel, Dorothy Dandridge, Cecily Tyson, and Regina King are featured in this ode to Black actresses, chock full of photographs, interviews, and profiles that help explain not only why they’ve become famous but who they were before the spotlight.” — Town and Country
“With Viola Davis gracing the cover and Lupita N’yongo adorning the back cover, Supreme Actresses remembers and celebrates the groundbreaking women who have been influencing culture for decades, reshaping the very standards of beauty in modern society.” — Ebony
“This coffee-table book is the first-ever collection of works celebrating black models. Fashion devotees will find glorious images of supers such as Iman, Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, Joan Smalls, and Adwoa Aboah alongside interviews and personal essays.” — American Vogue
“[Supreme Models]…takes readers on a visual and educational tour of statuesque women of color who broke social norms to grace covers of the creme de la creme of fashion magazines and changed the way black women are perceived in the modeling/fashion industry.” — Chicago Tribune
“Supreme Models features photos, essays, and magazine covers of fierce Black females such as Naomi Campbell, Iman, and Veronica Webb… Supreme Models is as historical as it is visual. From the first black supermodel to the first black model on the covers of Glamour and Life magazines, the women featured exhibit true model behavior.” — GMA Online
“Considering that famous Black models are still being misidentified in photos, this tribute to Black models from the past 75 years couldn’t come sooner.” — The New York Times
“Supreme Models is a tribute to these models’ careers through a dazzling compilation of magazine covers, ad campaigns, runway shows, and editorial shoots.” — Fortune Magazine
“The history of racism and exclusionary politics in fashion needs more corrective tomes like this stupendous, definitive survey of 75 years of Black modelling history.” — The Globe and Mail
