Born to freed slaves in 1867, Sarah Breedlove used her creativity, determination and brilliant mind for business to transform herself into the mogul, Madam C.J. Walker. Traveling the country with her hair products, Madam Walker employed legions of saleswomen to both grow her business and to give thousands of black women the skills and confidence to create generational wealth and follow in her footsteps.

Following Madam Walker’s empowering story we reflect on her legacy with The Lip Bar CEO and founder Melissa Butler who cites Madam C.J. Walker as part of her inspiration in founding a makeup line that would suit people of all skin tones.

Main Sources

1. On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker - by A'Lelia Perry Bundles (Now a Netflix series starring Octavia Spencer, the book has been retitled ‘Self Made’)
2. A New York Times article titled ‘Wealthiest Negro Woman’s Suburban Mansion’ published in November of 1917
3. An Associated Press article on Madam C.J. Walker published in the spring of 1919