Willie Morrow facts for kids

Willie Lee Morrow (October 9, 1939 – June 22, 2022) was an American businessman and inventor. He was famous for his work in African American hair care. He invented the Afro pick and helped create the Jheri curl hairstyle.

Early Life and Education

Willie Lee Morrow was born in Eutaw, Alabama, on October 9, 1939. He was one of eight children. His parents, Hollie and Olean Morrow, were sharecroppers, meaning they farmed land owned by someone else and paid rent with a share of their crops.

Later, Willie moved to San Diego, California. There, he studied to become a barber and stylist. He graduated from the Independent Barber College in 1959.

A Career in Hair Care

Morrow opened his first hair salon in San Diego in 1959. He then started the California Curl Company. This company became well-known for creating and selling the Afro pick, also called the Afro Tease or "Eze Teze." His company also developed the California Curl treatment, which was an early version of the popular Jheri curl hairstyle.

Willie Morrow's company and barbershop were located on Market Street in San Diego for many years, from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Teaching Hair Styling

Morrow wrote a book called The Principles of Cutting and Styling Negro Hair. This book taught people how to properly cut and style textured African American hair. Because of his expertise, the United States Department of Defense hired him. His job was to teach military barbers how to style Black hair. He even cut hair on US military bases and in war zones.

The famous African-American painter Ernie Barnes created a painting called "Willie's Barbershop." This painting showed Morrow's barbershop on Market Street. Ernie Barnes was also a former football player for the San Diego Chargers.

Media and Community Work

Willie Morrow was also a pioneer in African American media in San Diego. In 1979, he started XHRM 92.5, which was a Black radio station. Later, in 1986, he launched the San Diego Monitor newspaper.

Morrow collected many old hairstyling tools. Some of these items were shown in a museum exhibit in 2016. The exhibit was about African American hair culture and was held at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.

Family Life

Willie Morrow married Gloria Morrow in 1966. They were married for 56 years. They had two daughters, Cheryl and Angela. After Willie retired, his daughter Cheryl took over running the San Diego Monitor newspaper and the California Curl Company.

Willie Lee Morrow passed away from pneumonia on June 22, 2022, at his home in San Diego. He was 82 years old.

Books by Willie Morrow

• The Principles of Cutting and Styling Negro Hair (1966)
• 400 Years Without a Comb (1973)