Annie Turnbo Malone

Creative Force

Annie Turnbo Malone (1869 – 1957), who created and marketed hair and beauty products for Black women, is credited with being the first female of color to become a millionaire – a most impressive accomplishment but even more so when her background is considered.

Annie’s parents were formerly enslaved persons who settled in Metropolis, Illinois where Annie was born in 1869. Sadly, when she was only around six years old, she lost both parents and was sent to Peoria to live with an older sister. While in Peoria, Annie attended Peoria High School but did not graduate due to chronic sickness. After high school, she worked’ as a hairdresser. This is the point when Annie’s life took direction. With the help of her aunt, Annie developed a formula that was central to hair and beauty products geared toward the cosmetic needs of Black women. A move to St. Louis in 1900 advanced her career in this

After marketing her beauty products at the 1902 St. Louis Exposition, Annie set her sights high. In 1906, to protect her creations, Annie copyrighted the term “poro,” a West African term which means “physical and spiritual growth,” and in 1918 she opened Poro College, the first African American school of cosmetology. Poro College grew rapidly, eventually having a college or association to the school in every state. By 1926 over 175 Poro College trained cosmetologists worked in St. Louis, and worldwide Poro had more than 75,000 product agents. One noteworthy Poro graduate was Madame C. J. Walker, well-known for her success in the field of beauty products for Black women. Ironically, Madame Walker has been dubbed the first Black female millionaire; her teacher Annie Malone actually was first.

Married and divorced from Arron Malone, Annie took some financial hits but never ignored the needs of others. She was a strong supporter of the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home (now the Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center), and to this day, the Annie Malone May Day Parade in St. Louis continues to honor her legacy. Honored for her creative endeavors, her entrepreneurship and her philanthropy, Annie Turnbo Malone is a member of Peoria’s African American Hall of Fame.

Robert Doucette

Queen Poro, 2021

(Portrait of Annie Malone)

Oil on canvas

Peoria Historical Society