Paying Dues : HOMAGE TO OUR WAY MAKERS

Annie Malone 8/9/1869- 5/10/1957

Who is She ?
An Illinois native, one of 11 children who had a meager start in life & became the first Black Millionairess.

Why should I care about her?
Not only is Annie Malone the Original 1st Black Millionairess ; she was a philanthropist, inventor & an all-around savvy businesswoman. Annie’s interest in hair textures came early in her life when she noticed Black women using soap, goose fats & heavy oils to straighten their hair. Abhorred at the damage this was causing to our hair & scalp, she vowed to find a better way for us to explore straight hair & not lose the beautiful structure. Not only did Annie create a hair dressing, she invented what you could call the first texturizer for black hair. Door to door relentless sales are what her & her assistants devoted their days to ; and it was what made her the bulk of her income. Early in the 1900s it was Annie who invented the first prototype of the hot comb, which one of her employees (Madam CJ Walker) later elaborated on.  Poro (African name meaning physical & spiritual growth) was the name of her fruitful business, and also her downfall, as it was lost to the IRS in a patent war. During her working years, Annie struggled with her husband & dishonest employees trying to swindle her & cut side deals. Luckily for her, Mary McCloud Bethune helped her salvage 200K from the business and stay afloat. However, not long after, The Great Depression took a toll on her business, and sadly Annie died with only about 100K.

HOMAGE TO OUR WAYMAKERS
Garrett A. Morgan 3/4/1877 – 8/27/1963

Who Is This?

Garrett was a Kentucky Native. A hard worker, he went from being an employee of a wealthy Cincinnati landowner to eventually owning his own sewing machine/repair shop.

Why should I care?

Aside from being a hard working, handsome man, Garrett was also a quick, insightful inventor who kicked open many of the doors we so freely walk through today. In 1907, Garrett opened his sewing machine/repair shop. In 1909, he annexed a tailoring shop. In the tailor shop, Garrett was thinking of a solution he could use to polish the needles to a high gloss & stop them from scorching clothes. When Morgan doctored this liquid, he decided to test the effects of the liquid on hair & the relaxer was born! Delighted with his success, Morgan coined his hair division the G.A. Morgan Hair Refining Company. This Company was also responsible for the black hair oil dye & the curved tooth iron comb (to be used as a hot comb.)

What does this story mean to me?

Garrett Morgan invented the first relaxer for black hair as an accident. This goes to show that the potential of your mind, even latently, is unlimited. Never underestimate yourself or your capabilities. Sometimes in life we do not have the most honorable start, but it’s unimaginable how the tables can turn. Believe, & invest in yourself. You are your most important asset.