Hair Care Pioneer Joe Louis Dudley Sr. Dies at 86

Joe Louis Dudley Sr., a pioneer in the hair care industry, died on February 8. He was 86. The cause was Parkinson’s Disease. Lafayette Jones, the chairman emeritus of the American Health and Beauty Aids Institute (AHBAI), an association of Black manufacturers, told the New York Times that Dudley was “a leader among Black hair care royalty.”

Dudley began his career as a distributor for SB Fuller hair care products. Later, he created his own hair care formulas with his wife, Eunice. Together, they formed the Dudley Products Company in 1967. In 1976, Fuller, as a result of health problems, asked Dudley to become president of the Fuller Products Company. Dudley ran both Fuller Products Company and Dudley Products Company from 1976 until 1984. In 1984, Fuller Products Company was purchased by Dudley. The company is now run by his daughter, Ursula Dudley Oglesby.

In 1995, Dudley won the Horatio Alger Award, which is an honor given to “leaders who have triumphed over adversity,” according to the organization.

Dudley was featured in comedian Chris Rock’s 2009 documentary “Good Hair.”

At the time of his death, Dudley was still working with his ex-wife (they divorced in 2000 but remained business partners). He is also survived his son, six siblings and three grandchildren.

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