“Willie Morrow Way” Unveiled in San Diego — Honoring Founder of The San Diego Monitor News

Photo: San Diego Public Advocate Shane Harris signs new city ordinance passed by the San Diego City Council last month into effect at the street sign unveiling ceremony minutes before unveiling the official street sign. Cheryl Morrow daughter of Willie Morrow holds up fist next to Harris.

By San Diego Monitor News | October 9, 2025

The City of San Diego made history Thursday by dedicating “Willie Morrow Way” in Southeast San Diego — a lasting tribute to the late Willie Lee Morrow, founder of The San Diego Monitor News, inventor, publisher, author, and cultural visionary. The celebration culminated with what would have been Morrow’s 85th Birthday. The ceremony marked the fulfillment of a vision that began more than three years ago, when San Diego Public Advocate Shane Harris proposed the idea for “Willie Morrow Way” just days after Morrow’s passing in 2022. Harris, who had long admired Morrow’s legacy as a businessman, innovator, and voice for Black San Diegans, brought the concept forward as a way to honor a man whose impact reached across generations.

“When Mr. Morrow passed, I knew immediately that his name needed to live on in the city he gave so much to,” Harris said. “He was a builder of community and a symbol of self-determination. Dedicating this street to him was about preserving his story and what he represented for Black San Diego.”

The proposal — which called for an honorary street designation in Morrow’s name — quickly gained traction across the city, drawing support from residents, business leaders, and civic organizations, particularly in San Diego’s southeastern neighborhoods, where Morrow’s influence was most deeply felt. Years after Harris wrote the legislation, the district’s new Councilmember, Henry Foster, picked it up in early 2025 with a commitment to get it done.

From Tuscaloosa to San Diego: A Journey of Purpose

Before he became a San Diego icon, Willie Lee Morrow was a young boy growing up in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, during the height of segregation. Born in 1939, he came of age in the Jim Crow South — a world where opportunity was limited but dreams were limitless.

As a teenager, Morrow picked up his first pair of clippers, cutting hair for friends and neighbors on porches and backyards. Each haircut was a lesson — in craftsmanship, conversation, and community. The barbershop became his first classroom in leadership and his first stage for vision.

In the late 1950s, Morrow journeyed west to San Diego, California, as part of the Great Migration — joining thousands of Black families seeking new opportunities. He arrived with little more than his barbering skills and a relentless drive to create, build, and uplift.

The Barbershop as a Beacon

Once in San Diego, Morrow opened his first barbershop on Imperial Avenue, in the heart of Southeast San Diego’s Black community. It was more than a place to get a haircut — it was a place to learn, to gather, and to dream. Inside those four walls, Morrow built a cultural institution that became synonymous with empowerment and progress.

From behind his barber chair, Morrow began to experiment with new techniques and tools for natural Black hair. In the 1960s and ’70s, as the Afro became a symbol of identity and resistance, Morrow’s creativity and innovation changed the industry forever. He invented and patented the Afro pick comb and designed one of the first blow dryer comb attachments, helping define and popularize the natural hair movement that swept across America.

His expertise made him a trusted authority in Black hair care nationwide. His company, California Curl, became a household name and helped revolutionize how natural hair was styled and celebrated. Morrow also published several books on barbering and hair science, establishing himself as both an inventor and educator.

His work drew national recognition — and even international reach. The U.S. Department of Defense enlisted his help to train military barbers on how to properly cut and care for Black hair during the Vietnam War, a groundbreaking cultural milestone that bridged understanding between communities.

Morrow didn’t just build a business; he built an entrepreneurial dynasty that anchored Black economic empowerment in San Diego. Operating from the large commercial building he later acquired and developed on Market Street, his empire included the barbershop, a beauty products line, a publishing company, The San Diego Monitor News, and the Museum of Black Inventors — all launched from his vision of self-sufficiency and excellence.

A Dynasty Continued: Cheryl Morrow Carries the Torch

Today, Cheryl Morrow, Willie’s daughter, proudly carries her father’s torch as both publisher of The San Diego Monitor News and a leader in the global hair care industry. A pioneer in her own right, Cheryl is an educator, innovator, and entrepreneur whose mission is to preserve the culture, science, and business of Black hair care while expanding her father’s vision for community empowerment. Under her leadership, The Monitor continues to amplify Black voices and advocate for equity in San Diego. She also runs The Morrow Institute of Trichology, a continuation of her father’s passion for the science of hair and scalp health.

“My father built this paper to educate and empower — and everything he created came from that same purpose,” Cheryl said at the ceremony. “He believed that beauty, business, and community were all connected. It’s my honor to continue that work, to keep innovating, and to make sure that his spirit of ownership and excellence lives on.”

A Community Celebration

The unveiling of “Willie Morrow Way” brought out a diverse crowd of San Diegans — from longtime residents and local barbers to civic leaders and community elders who had known Morrow personally. Councilmember Henry Foster, who represents the district, spoke about growing up in San Diego and how Morrow’s life shaped his own understanding of leadership and pride.

“As someone who grew up right here in San Diego, I saw firsthand the impact Willie Morrow had on our community,” said Councilmember Foster. “He showed us what it means to dream big, to own your work, and to serve your people with excellence. His dynasty of entrepreneurship and civic pride shaped this city — and it shaped me. To help bring this street naming to life is one of the greatest honors of my career.”

A Permanent Tribute

The new Willie Morrow Way is more than a sign — it’s a symbol of heritage, pride, and perseverance. The street naming stands as a lasting acknowledgment of Morrow’s impact on San Diego’s civic and cultural landscape. As the choir sang Lift Every Voice and Sing, the new sign gleamed beneath the Southeast San Diego sun — a physical testament to the man who built bridges between barbering, business, and Black identity.

“Willie Morrow taught us that if you don’t see the story you want to read, write it. If you don’t have the space you need, build it,” said Harris. “This street doesn’t just carry his name — it carries his spirit.”

The Legacy Lives On

From the red clay of Alabama to the vibrant streets of San Diego, Willie Lee Morrow built more than a career — he built an ecosystem of empowerment. His life embodied innovation, entrepreneurship, and love for his people.

Today, through Cheryl Morrow’s leadership, The San Diego Monitor News and the Morrow family’s work in the hair care industry continue to reflect his vision — a legacy rooted in ownership, creativity, and cultural pride.

Now, along Willie Morrow Way, that legacy lives on — in every business opened, every story told, and every dream built on the foundation he laid. Because in San Diego, Willie Morrow’s way isn’t just a street name. It's a legacy.