Annie Malone

Annie Malone (1869–1957) was a pioneering African American businesswoman, inventor, and philanthropist, best known for her success in the beauty industry. Born in Metropolis, Illinois, she was orphaned at a young age and raised by her older sister. Malone had a passion for chemistry and developed hair care products for Black women, particularly focusing on treatments for hair loss.

Annie Malone was a pioneering Black businesswoman in the beauty industry, preceding Madam C.J. Walker. She founded Poro, a company that specialized in hair and beauty products for African American women. Malone’s educational institutions also trained thousands of women in cosmetology, offering them employment opportunities in an era when Black women had limited job prospects.

In the early 1900s, Malone created her own line of hair products, including the “Wonderful Hair Grower.” She founded Poro College in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1918, which served as a training ground for African American women to become beauticians and sales agents, providing them with financial independence. Poro College also had a strong community focus, serving as a cultural and social center.

At the height of her business, Malone employed thousands of women across the country and accumulated significant wealth, making her one of the first Black female millionaires. She was also known for her philanthropy, donating to many charities, including the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home.

Despite financial challenges later in life, Annie Malone’s legacy as a trailblazer in both business and community empowerment remains influential. She paved the way for other entrepreneurs, including her more famous protege, Madam C.J. Walker.