Comer Cottrell facts for kids
Comer Joseph Cottrell Jr. (born December 7, 1931 – died October 3, 2014) was a very successful American businessman. He is best known for starting a company called Pro-Line Corp.. This company created a famous product called the Curly Kit. The Curly Kit made the Jheri curl hairstyle popular and easy for many people to do at home.
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About Comer Cottrell
Comer Cottrell was born in Mobile, Alabama. He grew up in a Catholic family. He briefly attended the University of Detroit and served in the Air Force during the Korean War.
Starting Pro-Line Corp.
In 1970, Comer Cottrell started his company, Pro-Line Corp. It began in Los Angeles. A few years later, in 1979, he invented the Curly Kit. This product changed the hair care industry. In 1980, he moved his company to Dallas.
Forbes Magazine once called the Curly Kit "the biggest single product ever to hit the black cosmetics market." This shows how popular and important it was! Comer Cottrell worked with his brother, James, to make Pro-Line one of the most successful companies owned by African Americans in the United States. In 2000, he sold the company for a large sum of money, between $75 million and $80 million.
Helping Colleges and Sports
Comer Cottrell also cared a lot about education. In 1990, he bought the campus of Bishop College. He then helped move Paul Quinn College from Waco, Texas to this new campus. This helped Paul Quinn College continue its important work.
He also made history in sports. Along with George W. Bush and others, Cottrell was part of a group that bought the Texas Rangers baseball team. This made him the first African American person to be an owner or part-owner of a major league sports team. This was a big step forward!
Community Leader
Comer Cottrell was a respected leader in his community. He wrote a book about his life called Comer Cottrell: A Story That Will Inspire Future Entrepreneurs. He was also the first African American member of Dallas’ Citizens Council. He served on the boards of many important banks and companies in Dallas. He even helped Ron Kirk get elected as the first African American mayor of Dallas.
His Passing
Comer Cottrell passed away in Plano, Texas, when he was 82 years old. He left behind a legacy of business success and community leadership.
