About Us
Ernest Daurham was the founder and president of D-Orum Hair Products, Inc., a hair care company established in 1979 to address the unique hair care needs of the African American consumer. Mr. Daurham was a pioneer in the hair care industry, offering a wide variety of products, including the flagship brand of "Leisure Curl". Under Mr. Daurham’s leadership,
D-Orum Hair Products, Inc. grew to become one of the largest ethnic hair care companies in the world. His legacy lives on through his vision of Daurham Hair Products, a company owned and operated by his children.
Mr. Daurham was an active philanthropist and gave generously to many organizations throughout his lifetime. Deeply rooted in his culture, in 1991, he established the Ernest Daurham Community Foundation to support social, educational, and employment opportunities in the African American community. His legacy of great haircare products and compassion for humanity continues through his children.
They now carry his vision, still providing great products and developing new brands under
Daurham Hair Products.
To learn more about Ernest Daurham Jr. and his legacy foundation, please visit www.ernestdaurhamjrlegacy.org
This website provides information about the foundation and the work we do to make a difference in the community.
Our Journey
1977
Ernest Daurham Jr. began experimenting with various hair growth ingredients to create his very own product line. This line become so successful, due to customer demand that Beauty Supply stores and Walgreens sought him out, to carry his products in their stores,
1979
Ernest Daurham Jr. established D-orum Hair Products, Inc, as a company dedicated to addressing the unique hair care needs of the African American community,
1982
D-orum Hair Product, Inc, created the first no-rod curl kit called the “Chicago Curl Kit” This product was a huge success in the African American community!
1984
D-orum Hair Product, Inc, reaches its first Million Dollars in sales with the “Chicago Curl Kit”.
1985
D-orum Hair Product Inc developed a line of products which soon become the company‘s flagship brand Hair A care product called “leisure Curl”. This product gave consumers “the look of a relaxer with the maintenance of a curl”.This unique application of the product and its style gave birth to the “Dry Curl” category and was the answer to the ending of the “wet curl” style of the ’80s.
1989/90
D-orum Hair Product, Inc, achieved a record breaking number in sales for the year!
1991
Ernest Daurham Jr established the “Ernest Daurham Jr, Community Foundation” to support community, social, educational, and employment opportunities within the African American community,
1992
Ernest Daurham Jr established the Daurham Institute of Hair Technology and provided free education to cosmetology students as well as opened 5 beauty salons across the Chicagoland and Gory, IN areas to create employment opportunities for his graduating students.
1994
As Founder and CEO of D-orum Hair Product, Inc, Ernest Daurham Jr. retired to Scottsdale, AZ to spend more time with his family and preparing his children as the next generation of leaders.
2014
With his success and background in hair growth products, the growing demand for hair growth and restoration all within a new “natural hair” awareness community, Ernest
Dauham Jr. came out of retirement to launch Daurham Corporation. With a new vision and precision focus, the company introduced “It's a Miracle - African Oils” and “Dr. Daurham’s Extreme Growth The formula” which is proven to stop hair breakage and promote stronger
and healthy hair growth.
2021
Guided by a family with a strong sense of values and a strong belief in God, Ernest Daurham Jr. committed his life to the success he so deservingly achieved as Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the company that bears his name.