Madam C. J. Walker convened the first annual conference for her sales agents.
On August 10, 1917, Madam C. J. Walker convened the first annual conference of the Madam C. J. Walker Hair Culturists Union of America in Philadelphia. This event was not only one of the earliest national business conventions for women entrepreneurs but also an unprecedented platform for empowering Black women economically. The convention gathered her network of sales agents, providing training, support, and encouragement while also forging a collective identity and mission. Walker's vision in hosting such a conference underscored her commitment to advancing the role of women in business and provided a model for modern professional networking and business development.