1981

AHBAI is founded by 10 Black-owned companies, led by Chairman George E. Johnson and Executive Director Lafayette Jones, to represent the ethnic health and beauty aids industry.

1982

After many illustrations and revisions, the Proud Lady symbol is designed by Richmond Jones.

1982

AHBAI holds its first Mid-Year Business Conference to provide industry executives with vital industry information, trends analysis and networking opportunities.

1983

AHBAI's first industry supplement appears in major trade publications.

1984

AHBAI News debuts, a special publication focusing on the ethnic beauty industry.

1988

Geri Duncan Jones is named AHBAI Executive Director.

1989

The first AHBAI Proud Lady Beauty Show is held in Chicago with an attendance of 5,000.

1990

The Walgreen Company teams up with AHBAI to contribute funds to the United Negro College Fund.

1991

The Fred Luster, Sr. Scholarship Foundation is formed to provide scholarships to college and cosmetology students.

1991

AHBAI forms the Salon Advantage Club to provide cosmetologists with a network of resources and information to improve their services and increase profitability.

1991

The Eckerd Corporation teams up with AHBAI to raise scholarship funds through the sale of AHBAI member products.

1993

The "Who's That Lady" campaign is launched, creating greater awareness of the Proud Lady symbol, the distinguished silhouette found on all AHBAI member products.

1995

AHBAI presents its first Scholarship Contest and Entrepreneurial Leadership Conference, a conference to promote the entrepreneurial spirit and provide scholarships to college students.

1997

In only six years, the Fred Luster, Sr. Scholarship Foundation has contributed over $90,000 to college and cosmetology students.

1998

In its tenth year, the Proud Lady Beauty Show - Chicago has a record attendance of over 12,000 professionals in the beauty industry.

1999

The Eckerd/AHBAI promotion has raised $430,000 for the United Negro College Fund in only six years.