Malone, Annie Turnbo
1869–1957 · Contribution: 1900-1922
Pioneering Black beauty-industry entrepreneur and chemist: developed a line of non-damaging hair straighteners, scalp treatments, and oils (notably 'Wonderful Hair Grower') and founded Poro College, the first cosmetology school and agent-training system for Black hair-care professionals
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Quick facts
- Category
- Business & Misc.
Impact on the world
Malone effectively originated the modern Black hair-care industry and its agent-based sales model, building an enterprise that turned tens of thousands of Black women into independent earners.
Sources
- Smithsonian NMAAHC
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