August 11th 2023.
Annie Malone, a Metropolis, Illinois native born in 1869, is being honored with an exhibit at the Peoria Riverfront Museum in Illinois. She is one of the very first Black female millionaires and achieved success despite having a limited education.
At only 20 years old, Malone had already created groundbreaking shampoo and hair growth products, and her own marketing strategy. She travelled by buggy to deliver speeches about the products, and launched a haircare line, Poro, which led to establishing Poro College, the first Black-owned cosmetology school.
The exhibit, titled “Life and Legacy of Annie Malone”, is said to be the largest Malone display in the country. At a recent news conference, John Morris, CEO and president of the Peoria Riverfront Museum, said it was essential to tell her story. Present at the conference was Agbara Bryson, Malone’s great-great-nephew, who provided personal artifacts to display in the exhibit. This partnership means additional significant artifacts from Malone’s life will be included in the collection.
The exhibit is expected to be featured during tours organized by the Every Student Initiative, a joint effort by the museum and central Illinois school districts that provides free admission to the museum for K-8 students. Everley Davis, coordinator of the initiative, believes visitors to the museum will be inspired by Malone's story.
The “Life and Legacy of Annie Malone” exhibit is scheduled to open September 16. Additional information on exhibitions at the Peoria Riverfront Museum can be found on the museum’s site. This is a great opportunity to honor the legacy of Annie Malone, one of the very first Black female millionaires, and a reminder of the importance of perseverance and determination.
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