Annie Turnbo Malone
by Trish Williams
Annie Turnbo Malone (1877-1957) was a successful entrepreneur, inventor, philanthropist, and one of the first African American women to become a self-made millionaire. During her teenage years in Peoria, she began developing her own hair care products for African American women. As her business grew, she moved to St. Louis, opened her first retail shop and traveled all over the country, recruiting thousands of women to sell her products. She also founded the first African American college in the U.S. dedicated to cosmetology. She became one of the richest women in the country and donated millions of dollars to important causes and organizations all over the country.
About the Mural Artist
Trish Williams was born and raised in the city of Chicago in the North Lawndale community. After high school, she attended Malcom X Community College under the tutelage of Barbara Jone-Hogu who introduced her to the AfriCOBRA collective and the South Side Community Art Center. Here, Williams was introduced to a broader spectrum of African American artists. In 1997, she read the book “A Communion of The Spirits” by Roland Freeman, which was about African American quilt-makers. She was reminded of her ancestors who carried on these traditions and knew that it was what she was born to do—not just quilts for beds, but art quilts which encompass most of the things that she loves about art. She has exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally.
About the Augmented Reality Performing Artist
Monica Williams currently works in the medical field with aspirations to become a physician. She acted in three plays at her undergraduate institution, Southern Illinois University, in Carbondale, IL. Williams performs mime and praise dance at her home church and other churches throughout the central Illinois area. She loves all forms of dance but has a special adoration for salsa, hip-hop, and African dances.