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Question: Who was the First African American Corporate Model and Living Trademark?
The world knew her as “Aunt Jemima,” but her given name was Nancy Green. The famous Aunt Jemima recipe was not her recipe, but she became the advertising world’s first living trademark, and the first African American corporate model in the United States.
In 1893, the Davis Milling Company aggressively began an all-out
promotion of “Aunt Jemima” at the World’s Columbian Exposition in
Chicago. Nancy Green, as “Aunt Jemima,” demonstrated the pancake mix
and served thousands of pancakes. Green was a hit, friendly, a good
storyteller, and a good cook. Her warm and appealing personality made
her the ideal “Aunt Jemima,” a living trademark. Her exhibition booth
drew so many people that special policemen were assigned to keep the
crowds moving.
Nancy Green maintained this job until a car crash in Chicago
killed her on September 23, 1923. The Davis Company also ran into money
problems after then, and the Quaker Oats Company purchased the Aunt
Jemima Mills in 1925.
So while you laugh at the caricature of “Aunt Jemima,” please know that
she was legendary, and got PAID! Now don’t you wish it was your mom on
the front of that pancake box! So, now you know!
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