Sandwiched In with Ron Brown - Madam C. J. Walker - First Female Self-Made Millionaire

Join Professor Ron Brown for this special program celebrating Black History Month.  The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s attracted African Americans from the deep South and across the United States.  Among those drawn to Harlem was Madam C.J. Walker, who is recognized as the first female self-made millionaire in America.  Born in Louisiana in 1867, she moved to the Mid-West where she pioneered her own brand of cosmetics and hair care products for African American women. By 1913 she was already a successful businesswoman and moved her operation to Harlem and was soon a millionaire with a home in Harlem and a spacious mansion along the Hudson River.  She supported African American philanthropic organizations, universities and artists and remains one of the business success stories of the Harlem Renaissance.

(Sponsored by the Friends of the Library)