- I'm Veronica Mohesky, and I'm here with Jody Sowell, president of the Missouri Historical Society.

And today we're talking about a St.

Louisan who started a beauty empire.

That's right.

You know, St.

Louis could introduce itself.

It might say, "I am the place where one of the country's first black female millionaires made her riches."

That's the story of Annie Malone.

Annie Malone develops a hair care product that doesn't have some of the same harsh chemicals for African-American women's hair that most products of the day had.

And from there, she built a beauty empire.

At one time, she has hired 75,000 people around the globe to sell and make her products.

She opened Poro College in 1918 in the Ville neighborhood to train people to sell and make those products.

And she's also one of the country's biggest philanthropists of her time.

And what's Annie Malone's legacy in St.

Louis?

Yeah, you know, Annie Malone started Orphan's Home that is now named in her honor.

And you might still go to the Annie Malone parade, but really, I think it's her legacy as an inspiration for entrepreneurs today.

Here's a woman who faced all sorts of discrimination, but built a business that many of us would be envious of today.

Absolutely.

What an incredible story.

Thank you, Jody.

Sure.

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