Poro College, in St. Louis, was the first educational institution in the United States dedicated to the study and teaching of black cosmetology. Curriculum included instructions to students on personal style and how to present themselves at work such as: walking, talking, and style of dress designed to maintain a solid public persona. The school graduated over 75,000 agents worldwide, including the Caribbean. Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone (August 9, 1869 - May 10, 1957) is the owner and founder of Poro College. It is a cosmetics firm that originated in St. Louis, then later took up an entire city block in Chicago, Il. Malone is considered to be the "mother" of the African American cosmetics, hair care, and beauty industries. She was born in Metropolis, IL to former slaves and raised by her older sister in Peoria, IL, due to the early death of her parents. She never completed high school due to frequent illnesses. While Malone was in Peoria, she took a great interest in hair textures and by the early 1900's, she began to transform hair care methods for all African Americans. Once she moved to St. Louis in 1902, she began selling her unique hair products door to door and soon, her products and "Poro Method" of styling hair was a success.
Malone called it Poro, which is a West African male secret society located throughout Libera and Sierra Leone. It was dedicated to the enhancement of the body spiritually and physically. Malone wanted to connect her "Poro Agents" to their African roots and creating the Poro College was her way of doing that. She believed that if African American women improved their physical appearance, other areas of their lives would be greatly improved and successful, as well as gaining more self-respect for themselves.
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