1882-1954
Beauty culturist since 1912, ran the Poro Beauty School on 9 Wallace Street which she opened in 1936 or 1937. On her death, the Afro American wrote how she had organized the Poro Club, training women, and allowing hundreds of women to enjoy “a comfortable living as Poro beauticians, agents and shopowners”.
The Afro American wrote that these women “owe their success to the training and inspiration imparted to them by Ms Brown….Generous and unselfish…Newark was Olivia Brown’s adopted home and the people in it were her friends and neighbors”.
Olivia was awarded a diploma from National Founder Annie Malone in 1945. She was on the Executive Committee of the North Jersey Branch of the National Negro Business League. Earlier she ran Excelsior Beauty Schools 45 Murray St. She was treasurer of the Poro Coiffure Guild. She presented at the Modern Beauticians Convention in 1949.
Born in VA, she came to Newark at age 20 months and lived in Newark the remainder of life.
NJ Afro American Aug 14, 1954
Bibliography
“Poro School Now Offers Hair Styling” New York Age Sept 3, 1949
“New Jersey Business Men Name Delegates to National Business League” New York Age Aug 11, 1928
“Newark, NJ” New York Age Feb 21, 1920
“Annie Malone Poro Head Awards Diplomas” New York Age Oct 13, 1945
Hodges, Graham, “Black New Jersey”
“Graduation Exercises of Poro College” Detroit Tribune Dec 15, 1945
“Ruth’s Poro Coiffure Guild Activies” Huntsville Mirror Jun 6, 1953
“Modern Beauticians Convention” Jersey Journal Apr 8, 1949
Editorial “Two Normal Benefactors” Afro American Aug 28, 1954
“Beauticians Mourn Mrs. Brown’s Death” NJ Afro American Aug 14, 1954
“Brown” Newark News Aug 9, 1954
