George E. Johnson, Black Business Pioneer Behind Afro Sheen, Dies at 99
David Snelling reports on the death of George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products Company, at age 99. Johnson built a Chicago hair care empire with products including Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen, made history in 1971 as the first Black-owned business to trade on the American Stock Exchange, and became the first Black-owned company to sponsor Soul Train. Born in a Mississippi sharecropper shack, Johnson's path from S.B. Fuller salesman to industry pioneer is detailed in his 2025 memoir.
George E. Johnson, whose Johnson Products Company became the first Black-owned company listed on the American Stock Exchange and helped transform the Black hair care industry, has died at the age of 99, according to Black Enterprise.
Johnson died of natural causes on July 6, 2026, at his downtown Chicago condominium, according to his son, John Edward Johnson, who confirmed his father’s death.
In 1954, George founded Johnson Products in Chicago after working for the Black-owned cosmetic company S.B. Fuller. The Chicago-based company developed hair care products specifically for Black consumers, including Ultra Sheen, Classy Curl, Curly Perm, and Afro Sheen.
In 1971, Johnson Products became the first Black-owned business to trade on the American Stock Exchange and the first Black-owned company to sponsor the nationally syndicated television program Soul Train, helping expand both the brand’s national visibility and the show’s cultural reach.
George was born in Richton, Mississippi, in a sharecropper shack and later moved to Chicago with his mother in 1929. He worked a series of jobs as a child before leaving high school to support his family.
At age 17, he joined S.B. Fuller, where his experience in sales and product development laid the foundation for launching his own company a decade later.
George remained active in business and philanthropy throughout his life, supporting educational initiatives and civic organizations while mentoring generations of entrepreneurs.
In 2025, he published his memoir, Afro Sheen: How I Revolutionized an Industry with the Golden Rule, from Soul Train to Wall Street, chronicling the company’s rise and his philosophy of leadership and service.
Originally published by Black Press USA Wire — Based on reporting by South Florida Times.