The powerhouse couple Ed & Betty who began their hair care business in their basement later moving it into a sprawling building at 8830 S. Dobson which is now the home of WVON, were lifted up as an excellent role model for generations to come.

Hailed not only for their business prowess in raising the bar in the ethnic hair care industry, the Gardner’s were also praised for their community-mindedness and philanthropy including their huge financial support of then Congressman Harold Washington that led to the election of Chicago’s first black mayor but also for launching the historic Black on Black Love (BOBL) campaign in January of 1983.