The Annie Malone Historical Society is taking an anonymous $100,000 donation as an opportunity to start a Challenge Grant Campaign in an effort to purchase a property at Delmar and Pendleton and renovate it as a permanent home for the organization.
The proposed a facility would house a small museum in honor of Annie M. Turnbo Pope Malone, a pioneer in the black hair care and beauty industry based here in St. Louis and later in Chicago, as well as a community resource building.
“Some of the programs planned for the facility include a GED and financial literacy program, a Saturday morning reading and story time for children, and a space for local artists to display their work on a rotating basis,” said Linda M. Nance, founding president of the society, which is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
This November marks the 100th anniversary of the opening of Malone’s Poro College and manufacturing facility.
“We are asking everyone to get involved – barber shops, beauty shops, churches, individuals, businesses, corporations, fraternities, sororities, and a variety of clubs and social groups,” Nance said.
“For those who can afford to, a $100 contribution celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opening would be great, but a little help from a lot of people is what will make this great thing happen.”
Also, a Call to Conscience, an interactive theatre group, will present “Celebrating the Power of Dreams,” a play about Malone, at 2 p.m. Saturday, November 17 and Sunday, November 18 at the Missouri History Museum in Forrest Park. Admission to the play is free and open to the public.
Contributions to the Annie Malone Historical Society can be made at www.anniemalonehistoricalsociety.org or via mail at P. O. Box 210794 St. Louis, MO 63121. For more information, visit the website, call at (314) 229-0808 or email anniemalonehistory@att.net.
