An American Story  

 

Mrs. Cora Jones 'Boot' McLeod is a historical figure in the Durham, N.C. African American communities. She was born in the hot summer of 1918. In 1932, her father, Rev. Junious Jones, relocated his wife and children from Wake County to Durham City, where Miss Cora attended the local schools. She was the knee-baby girl.

 

DeShazor’s Beauty School offered a six-month training program and in August 1943, Mrs. McLeod graduated as a top beautician. She had married James McLeod, Sr. and was a happy mother of a brown-eyed baby boy, James, Jr.

 

The Hayti Community was the heart of Durham’s African Americans' retail and had become a viable part of their economic growth

and development. Mrs. Cora McLeod linked her talents and entrepreneurial spirit with the spirit of Hayti. 

 

 Along with two beauticians, Mrs. McLeod created the Tip Top Beauty Shop on Pettigrew Street. It was a thriving business where many new beauticians received on-the-job training and professional leadership from the owners.

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Affected by urban renewal and the freeway expansion, Mr. and Mrs. McLeod built a private, in-home beauty salon affectionately named, McLeod’s Beauty Nook, where Mrs. Cora shared her gift of cosmetology for fifty more years. ©

An American Story, long overdue!

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A historical, captivating, life-long journey of a living legend who experienced challenging days and a great life! 

 

 Presenting: 'A Century+ of Living:

The Autobiography of Cora Jones 'Boot' McLeod'.