Before Iman, and even before Beverly Johnson, there was Donyale Luna. Some would say she was the first black supermodel. Donyale was born Peggy Ann Freeman in Detroit, Michigan. She was born the first day of 1945. 
Donyale was discovered by photographer David McCabe in Detroit. She then moved to New York City and appeared on the cover of Harper's Bazaar in January 1965. In 1966 Luna became the first black model to appear on the cover of (British) Vogue. Eight years later Beverly Johnson would become the first black model to grace the cover of (American) Vogue.
Donyale Luna passed away in 1979. She is survived by her daughter Dream Cazzaniga. Filmmaker Jennifer Poe is working on a documentary about Donyale Luna and Pat Hartley; the only black women to be part of the Warhol studio.
