Discover striking photographs by Brian K. Young capturing Dr. Linda M. Nance accepting a posthumous award honoring Annie Malone. Celebrate this powerful moment of recognition and legacy.
Brian K. Young, a talented photographer and filmmaker and a valued contributor to The Narrative Matters, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. His previous collaborations with the Annie Malone organization motivated him to further promote awareness for this exceptional foundation. With great enthusiasm, he shared his remarkable work, capturing the moment when Dr. Linda M. Nance received a prestigious award on behalf of Annie Malone.
MEA
On August 29, 2026, legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist Annie Minerva Turnbo Pope Malone was posthumously honored with the “Stateswoman of the Century” award by Ghana’s Millennium Excellence Foundation (MEF).
The historic accolade was presented during the inaugural Millennium Excellence Awards (MEA) USA 2026, held at the iconic Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C.. Dr. Linda M. Nance, founding president of the Annie Malone Historical Society, accepted the prestigious global award on behalf of the Turnbo family.
513 13th St NW, Washington, DC 20004 Image by Brian K. Young
More great shots of the recipient, captured by Brian K. Young
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Who was Annie Malone?
Annie Malone was one of the most remarkable Black businesswomen in American history.
She was born in 1869 to formerly enslaved parents and eventually established herself in St. Louis. She developed hair-care products specifically for Black women and built the Poro beauty empire.
By the 1920s, Malone’s business had become enormous. She reportedly had tens of thousands of agents around the country and internationally. Her 1918 Poro College in St. Louis wasn’t simply a beauty school—it trained Black women as sales agents and entrepreneurs and served as an important social and cultural gathering place during segregation.
Dr. Linda Nance
Linda Nance has been publicly speaking about Malone’s legacy and representing the Annie Malone Historical Society.
In a February 2026 interview about Malone, Nance explained that Malone deliberately created an economic system “for people of color, by people of color.” She also emphasized that Poro College became an important place for Black St. Louisans because segregation prevented them from freely using many other businesses and public venues.
So having Dr. Nance accept the award on Annie Malone’s behalf is significant. Malone died in 1957, so the award is necessarily posthumous, while Nance is representing the historical organization that preserves and promotes Malone’s legacy.
In closing: Honoring a Trailblazer: The “Stateswoman of the Century” title recognizes Malone’s monumental legacy as America’s first Black female multi-millionaire, an inventor, and a tireless community builder.
