Madam Sul-Te-Wan Prominent Black Actress During Silent Film Era by DALE RICARDO SHIELDS The mysteriously named Madame Sul-Te-Wan was the first Black actress to land a Hollywood studio contract. Madame Sul-Te-Wan (Nellie Conley) – (1873-1959), was one of the most prominent Black actresses during the silent film era. “Nellie Wan, a Black vaudeville actress from …