Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone was a pioneering businesswoman, inventor, and philanthropist whose vision and entrepreneurship helped transform the beauty industry for Black women in the early twentieth century. Born in 1877 to formerly enslaved parents in Illinois, Malone developed an early interest in chemistry and hair care. At a time when Black women had limited access to safe and effective beauty products, she began experimenting with formulas designed specifically for textured hair, eventually creating a successful line of hair treatments and cosmetics.
In 1902, Malone established Poro, a company that not only sold beauty products but also trained women in hair care, grooming, and business skills. Through Poro College — her combined training institute, manufacturing center, and community hub in St. Louis — Malone helped thousands of Black women across the United States and abroad achieve economic independence as sales agents and salon owners. Her approach to business emphasized dignity, professionalism, and self-sufficiency, offering opportunities at a time when discrimination severely restricted career paths for Black Americans.
Malone’s success made her one of the wealthiest Black women of her era, and she used her resources to give back generously. She supported countless charitable causes, including educational scholarships, institutions serving children and families, and civic organizations in Black communities. Despite facing legal and financial challenges later in life, her commitment to service and empowerment never wavered.
