03/07/2026
Anne Malone
Before Madam C.J. Walker became widely known, Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone had already built a powerful beauty business.
Born in 1869 to formerly enslaved parents, Malone developed an interest in chemistry and created hair-care products specifically formulated for Black women. At a time when many available products were harsh and damaging, her “Wonderful Hair Grower” offered a safer alternative and quickly gained popularity.
She began by selling door-to-door, using product demonstrations and free treatments to build trust. In 1902, she moved to St. Louis, opened a storefront, and trained women to become sales agents. Her distribution network expanded across multiple states.
One of her agents was Sarah Breedlove, later known as Madam C.J. Walker, who would go on to establish her own successful brand.
As demand increased, Malone rebranded her products under the name “Poro” and in 1917 founded Poro College in St. Louis, an institution dedicated to cosmetology and business training for Black women. The program trained thousands of agents and provided economic opportunities during a time of limited employment options.
By the 1920s, Malone had accumulated substantial wealth and became deeply involved in philanthropy. She supported educational institutions, funded scholarships at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and donated to community organizations including the St. Louis Colored Orphans Home and the St. Louis Colored YWCA.
Annie Malone lived to the age of 87 and left behind a legacy of entrepreneurship, education, and community investment.