Key facts
- George E. Johnson Sr., founder of Johnson Products Company, died at age 99.
- Johnson Products was the first Black-owned company listed on the American Stock Exchange.
- The company, founded in 1954, created popular Black hair care brands like Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen.
- Johnson also founded Independence Bank and sponsored the television show 'Soul Train'.
George E. Johnson Sr., a trailblazer in the Black hair care industry and founder of Johnson Products Company, has died at the age of 99. His company, established in 1954 with a $250 loan, became a significant force in catering to the needs of Black consumers, offering popular brands such as Afro Sheen, Ultra Sheen, and Classy Curl. Johnson Products achieved a historic milestone in 1971 by becoming the first Black-owned company to be listed on the American Stock Exchange. Johnson, who began his career as a door-to-door cosmetics salesman, also founded Independence Bank in 1964 and was a notable sponsor of the television show 'Soul Train'. He died at his home in Chicago; his son reported natural causes, while his second wife cited respiratory illness as the cause of death.