“Sarah Breedlove, aka Madame C.J. Walker, was introduced to my aunt through Sarah’s older brother, who was a barber,” Turnbo said. “Annie Malone took her in and taught her the business. Sarah Breedlove used ‘Poro Wonderful Hair Grower’ to treat her scalp condition and was documented on Census records as an Annie Malone Poro agent. Breedlove learned the business from my aunt for two years.”
Turnbo also said that her aunt was likely the wealthiest person in St. Louis during the early 1900s.
“Annie was the highest taxpayer in St. Louis,” she explained. “Most White men were after her because no Black woman had achieved such success and wealth. Annie opened 30-plus schools all over the world, including [in] St. Louis, Chicago, New York and the Caribbean. She housed millions of people in her college and taught some of the most profound African Americans in our history.”
Turnbo also went after the filmmakers for creating the narrative of Malone and Walker as rivals.
“It appears that the Black women that created this movie found more comfort in using those stories as positive, profound moments than acknowledging the woman who taught Walker and the power in the bond that was created,” she said. “Though Annie and Sarah had their fallout, Annie did not stop spreading her light. The entire country was after Annie Turnbo Malone, and she is an iconic woman. Annie’s story is coming to light and will be given the respect she deserves.”
