Before Madame C.J. Walker, There Was Annie: The Untold Empire Every Black Woman Needs to Know About

Overview: The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Bergen/Passaic Chapter, presents the Opening Night Feature of the 2026 Teaneck International Film Festival with a screening of Annie Turnbo Malone: The Untold Story on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 7:30 PM EST. The event honors Annie Turnbo Malone, a pioneering chemist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who founded Poro College and became one of America’s earliest self-made Black female millionaires. The screening will be followed by a live community talkback exploring Malone’s business legacy and ongoing community efforts, including a major capital campaign led by CEO Keisha Lee to restore Malone’s historic community facility in St. Louis.

How beauty pioneer Annie Turnbo Malone built an empire, funded generations of community hope, and set the stage for Black female entrepreneurship.

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW), Bergen/Passaic Chapter, is proud to present the Opening Night Feature of the 2026 Teaneck International Film Festival.

Join the community for an unforgettable evening celebrating Black history, entrepreneurship, and cinema with the screening of Annie Turnbo Malone: The Untold Story, followed by an insightful live talkback.

Event Details

Event: Opening Night Feature, Teaneck International Film Festival

Film: Annie Turnbo Malone: The Untold Story

Date: Thursday, November 5, 2026

Time: 7:30 PM EST

Program: Film Screening followed by an engaging Community Talkback

Presented by: NCBW 100 Bergen/Passaic Chapter

Tickets: Secure your admission directly on Humanitix: https://events.humanitix.com/2026-teaneck-international-film-festival/tickets

About the Film: Annie Turnbo Malone

While many know the broader landscape of early 20th-century beauty pioneers, few understand the true magnitude of Annie Turnbo Malone. A chemist, businesswoman, and philanthropist, Malone created a global beauty empire, developed the historic Poro College, and became one of the nation’s first self-made Black female millionaires.

Her innovations transformed hair care, provided financial independence to thousands of women of color across the country, and funded institutions that anchored Black communities during the Jim Crow era.

Annie Turnbo Malone: The Untold Story brings her legacy into full focus, honoring her visionary work, her philanthropy, and the lasting footprint she left on American history.

Post-Screening Talkback

The evening continues immediately after the credits roll with an interactive talkback discussion. Audience members, community leaders, and film enthusiasts will reflect on the themes of the film, examine Malone’s enduring impact on business and civic leadership, and explore how her story resonates with women leading change today.

Reserve Your Seats

Opening night fills quickly, and seating is limited. Support independent cinema, local storytelling, and women-led community initiatives by reserving your ticket today.

About NCBW 100 Bergen/Passaic Chapter

The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Bergen/Passaic Chapter (NCBW 100), is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1986 by Mary Ann Miller and 30 charter members. Approaching four decades of service, the chapter advances leadership development and gender equity to eliminate socio-economic barriers for Black women and girls across northern New Jersey.

Advocacy & Civic Engagement: Organizes voter education, registration drives, and policy research.
Health & Wellness: Tackles healthcare disparities and champions wellness for African-American families.
Education & Mentorship: Supports STEM/STEAM pathways, HBCU recruitment, and the Role Model Program for high school girls (grades 9 through 12).
Economic Empowerment: Conducts financial literacy workshops, business development programs, and economic stability forums.
Community Alliances: Partners with local institutions such as Englewood Hospital, Teaneck High School, and the NAACP, backed by signature annual fundraising events.

Keisha Lee, CEO of Annie Malone — Keisha Lee leads the charge to restore Annie Malone’s historic facility.

Rebuilding for the Future: The Capital Campaign

While the programs inside the walls of Annie Malone are thriving, the walls themselves need urgent attention. The historic facility requires significant upgrades to continue providing safe and effective services. Keisha Lee has been a vocal advocate for these renovations, launching a comprehensive capital campaign to modernize the infrastructure.

Updating the facility is not just about aesthetics. It is about creating an environment that reflects the dignity of the people who walk through its doors. A renovated building means expanded classrooms, safer living spaces, and better resources for the community.

A Personal Plea to St. Louis

To make these essential upgrades a reality, Keisha Lee is calling on the St. Louis community. She shares this personal appeal:

“I am honored to serve as CEO of Annie Malone. The staff, board, and community are amazingly supportive, generous, and invested in fulfilling our mission to improve the quality of life for children, families, and the community. But we cannot do this work alone.

Our historic building has housed generations of hope, but it now needs our help. To continue offering life-changing early childhood education and family support, we must upgrade our facility. I urge you to join our capital campaign. Your support will directly impact the lives of the children and seniors who rely on us every day. Let us work together to build a foundation that will serve St. Louis for another hundred years.”

How You Can Help

Women’s History Month is the perfect time to honor the women making a difference today while paying tribute to those who paved the way. You can support Keisha Lee and continue the profound legacy of Annie Malone by contributing to the capital campaign.

Next Steps:

Donate: Contribute to the Annie Malone Capital Campaign to fund vital facility renovations.
Share: Spread the word about Keisha Lee’s leadership and the organization’s mission with your network.
Volunteer: Reach out to Annie Malone Children & Family Services to find out how you can lend your time and talents to support their ongoing programs.

Together, we can ensure that this historic St. Louis institution remains a place of healing, education, and growth for generations to come.