The People Who Paved the Way

Trailblazers

Pioneers, barrier-breakers, and history-makers who changed what's possible.

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A.G. Gaston

Business & Entrepreneurship

Arthur George Gaston was a Birmingham business titan who built an empire spanning insurance, banking, real estate, construction, and media — all within a segregated economy. Born in 1892 to former sharecroppers, he turned 500 dollars into a fortune worth over 130 million by the time of his death at 103. His philosophy was simple: […]
Annie Malone

Annie Malone

Business & Entrepreneurship

Annie Turnbo Malone was a millionaire, philanthropist, and beauty industry pioneer who built one of the first Black-owned corporations in America — years before Madam C.J. Walker, who actually trained under Malone before starting her own competing business. Malone’s Poro Company, founded in 1900 in St. Louis, sold hair care products and cosmetics for Black […]

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