In the late 1800s, African American women were ready for something new.  In a time when their lives were devalued by former slave owners, they desired greater education, better working conditions, and a sleeker look.

Thanks to inventor, educator, businesswoman, philanthropist, and one of the first recorded African American female millionaires, Annie Turnbo Malone, many were able to achieve all three.

The tenth of 11 children born in Metropolis, IL to escaped slaves, and orphaned when she was only seven, Turnbo developed an interest in chemistry during her high school years in Peoria, IL.

Related: She was the richest black girl in the world and it’s a shame we barely know her name.

Frequent illness ended her high school career, but she soon became captivated by hair care, and practiced often on her sister. Her interest in chemistry, fueled by demands for safe hair care alternatives, turned into a much sought after product line known as “The Great Wonderful Hair Grower.”

By offering free product and selling door to door, Turnbo expanded her enterprise, which she much later branded and copyrighted as Poro, a West African term of varied significance including beauty, devoted society, along with spiritual and physical growth.

By 1902, Turnbo’s success led her to St. Louis, Missouri, where the African American community was flourishing.  There, she ramped up her marketing efforts and hired 3 door to door saleswomen.

The move was a smart one as demand for her product skyrocketed, forcing Turnbo to open her first shop in 1904.

Soon after, she ventured south, holding news conferences and advertising in the black press. She began recruiting and training other women.  One was Sarah Breedlove, famously known as Madame C.J. Walker, who trained with her for one year.

Ten years later, in 1914, and now worth millions after having moved to a larger facility in 1910, Turnbo married former Bible salesman and educator Aaron Malone.

By 1917, her reach into the lives of the African American community extended greatly as she built Poro College.

It was the first U.S. based educational institution solely devoted to the study of black cosmetology and which emphasized the importance of educating the complete student.  Students were coached in walking, talking, as well as their style of dress.

Along with the beauty college, the five-story facility included a manufacturing plant, retail store, office space, meeting rooms, auditorium, bakery, dining area, gymnasium, dormitory, chapel, and a garden on the roof.

This socially and spiritually uplifting African American epicenter employed nearly 200 people and created jobs for almost 75,000 women in the Americas, Africa, and the Philippines.

A multi-millionaire by the 1920s, Turnbo Malone reportedly paid the highest income tax in Missouri in 1923 of close to $40,000.

Her unpretentious and simple lifestyle afforded her the ability to donate thousands of dollars to several charities including her local black YMCA, Howard University College of Medicine, and the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home.

There, she also served as President of the Board for 24 years and has since been renamed the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center.

In addition to her larger philanthropic efforts, Turnbo Malone gave a full educational ride to two full-time students in EVERY HBCU in the country!

By 1930, fresh off of a high profile divorce, the 60 year old Turnbo Malone moved her headquarters to Chicago, IL and bought an entire city block.  Despite selling her St. Louis property during the Great Depression in 1937 to settle law suits, her business continued to thrive.

One notable 1952 graduate of the Poro beauty system was Chuck Berry, who held Booker T. Washington’s view of economic independence and considered cosmetology a means to that end.

But, by the time she suffered a stroke and died in 1957 at the age of 87, Turnbo Malone’s estate had taken several financial hits.

During the Great Depression, she was embroiled in two civil law suits, a second divorce, and was served a nearly $100,000 tax lien by the federal government.  Her estate, bequeathed to nieces and nephews, was valued at a $100,000 despite Poro beauty colleges operating in more than 30 U.S. cities.

However, the legacy of this amazing entrepreneur continues.

In addition to the St. Louis based Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center, which is located on Annie Malone Drive, and continues her ideals of addressing the social and educational needs of at risk youth and families, the city honors her with the Annie Malone May Day Parade.

Held annually since 1910, the parade is considered the 2nd largest African American parade in the country.

We are proud to honor the efforts and legacy of this important historical African American woman. She serves as a great example of leadership and generosity who we can continue to share with the world!

BMWK, You’ve heard of Madame C.J. Walker and Chuck Berry, how do you feel now that you’ve heard of Annie Malone?