The beauty and spa industry has been shaped by incredible Black women entrepreneurs who not only revolutionized hair, skin, and wellness, but also uplifted their communities through economic empowerment, education, and representation. Their innovations paved the way for inclusivity and financial independence, leaving a lasting impact that continues today.
In honor of Black History Month, let’s celebrate these trailblazers and the beauty they brought to the world!
Annie Malone, founder of Poro College (c. 1920). Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons.
Annie Malone: The Unsung Hero of Haircare & Education (1877-1957)
It all began when Annie Malone founded Poro College, a cosmetology school that trained thousands of Black hairstylists and entrepreneurs. Annie’s haircare line was among the first to cater to Black women, and her direct sales business model gave women financial independence. Poro College wasn’t just about beauty—it was a cultural hub, providing safe spaces and resources for Black communities during segregation.
At Poro College, Annie trained students to sell her custom products and use the “Poro System” of scalp cleaning and hair nourishing. Over the company’s lifespan, tens of thousands of women and men sold Poro products around the world.
One of the top students enrolled at this college was Madam C.J. Walker, who also became a trailblazer in her own right.
Madam C.J. Walker, c. 1914. Public domain image via Wikipedia and the U.S. National Archives.
Madam C.J. Walker: The Trailblazer of Black Haircare & Economic Empowerment (1867-1919)
If there’s one name synonymous with beauty entrepreneurship, it’s Madam C.J. Walker. Born Sarah Breedlove, Walker became the first self-made female millionaire in the U.S. by creating a groundbreaking line of haircare products tailored for Black women. At a time when there were few products for textured hair, she introduced Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, promoting scalp health and hair growth.
She initially created a product for her own hair loss and, once she saw the results, marketed her products through door-to-door sales. Walker continued building her legacy by creating a network of Black-owned salons, training thousands of women in business, and using her fortune to support education and civil rights.
Inspired by her former mentor, Annie Malone, Walker took Black beauty to the next level, paving the way for future entrepreneurs like Sara Spencer Washington.
Apex News and Hair Company Tin, c. 1930s. Public domain image via the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Sara Spencer Washington: Building a Beauty Empire (1889-1953)
When it comes to the beauty industry, Sara Spencer Washington was a force to be reckoned with. She founded the Apex News & Hair Company in the 1920s, which became one of the largest Black-owned beauty brands of its time. Her company offered hair and skincare products, and she also established a chain of beauty schools across the U.S. and abroad. Her efforts provided Black women with high-quality beauty products while also creating jobs and career opportunities for thousands, making economic empowerment a key part of her legacy.
Following the business model set by both Malone and Walker, Washington expanded Black beauty education and access to wealth, making beauty more than just an industry—it became a means of independence and social mobility.
Similarly, Madam Nobia A. Franklin shared this vision of education and empowerment.
Madam Nobia A. Franklin: The Beauty Educator (1892-1934)
Madame Nobia A. Franklin was a beauty mogul from Texas who founded The Franklin School of Beauty Culture, and her legacy still exists today. She was dedicated to training Black cosmetologists and entrepreneurs, helping them achieve financial independence in an industry that had long overlooked them. Her work laid the foundation for generations of Black beauty professionals to thrive.
At a time when beauty schools were often segregated or inaccessible to Black women, Franklin ensured that aspiring stylists and business owners had a place to learn.
Franklin’s legacy of education continued through the years and influenced the rise of major beauty businesses, such as Rose Meta Morgan’s House of Beauty.
Rose Meta Morgan: The Visionary Stylist & Businesswoman (1912-2008)
Rose Meta Morgan made waves in the beauty industry when she opened Rose Meta House of Beauty in Harlem in 1945. At its peak, it was one of the largest Black-owned beauty salons in the world, catering to thousands of clients and providing employment for Black beauty professionals. Morgan later co-founded a company that became Avon’s Black Beauty Division, helping expand beauty opportunities for Black women in the mainstream cosmetics industry.
Morgan’s business flourished during the height of the Harlem Renaissance, a time when Black culture and entrepreneurship thrived. But beauty wasn’t just about appearance—it was about self-care, health, and holistic wellness. This belief was carried forward by Emma Dupree, a pioneer in natural healing.
Emma Dupree, about 1994. Public domain image via Wikimedia Commons.
Emma Dupree: The Natural Wellness Pioneer (1897-1996)
Emma Dupree was an herbalist and natural healer who specialized in plant-based wellness long before the clean beauty movement gained popularity. Living in North Carolina, Dupree used her knowledge of herbs and holistic healing to provide remedies for her community, advocating for natural wellness and self-care. Her work inspired future generations of herbalists and natural beauty entrepreneurs.
While others built beauty empires mainly through cosmetics and haircare, Dupree reminded people of the importance of wellness from within. Her dedication to natural healing bridged the gap between beauty and health, reinforcing the concept that self-care is more than skin deep.
A Legacy of Beauty & Empowerment by Black Women Entrepreneurs
From Annie Malone’s trailblazing cosmetology school to Madam C.J. Walker’s economic empire, from Sara Spencer Washington’s beauty business revolution to Rose Meta Morgan’s salon legacy, and from Madame Nobia A. Franklin’s dedication to education to Emma Dupree’s natural wellness wisdom—these phenomenal Black women didn’t just create beauty products. They built legacies, empowered communities, and redefined industry standards. Their stories remind us that beauty is more than skin deep—it’s about empowerment, innovation, and representation.
