Margaret Bonds was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1913. She was a pioneering composer, pianist, and teacher whose work spanned classical and popular music, often incorporating jazz influences. In 1933, Bonds made history as the first African American to perform as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Throughout her life, she maintained close friendships with influential figures such as Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes and renowned composer Florence Price. Bonds' legacy is marked by her contributions to music and her role in breaking racial barriers in the classical music world.