George E. Johnson Sr., founder of a pioneering Black hair care business, dies at 99

July 8, 2026 - 00:07

George E. Johnson Sr., the visionary entrepreneur who built a multimillion dollar hair care empire and broke racial barriers on Wall Street, has died. He was 99. His family confirmed he passed away on Monday.

Johnson founded Johnson Products Company in 1954 with just $250. The company became a household name in Black households across America, best known for its Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen product lines. These products were not just about hair care; they represented a cultural shift, helping to popularize the natural hairstyles of the 1960s and 1970s.

In 1971, Johnson Products made history as the first Black-owned company to be listed on the American Stock Exchange. This milestone opened doors for other minority-owned businesses and demonstrated the economic power of the Black consumer market. At its peak, the company was valued at over $40 million and employed hundreds of people.

Johnson's success was built on a simple but powerful idea: creating high-quality products specifically designed for Black hair, a market largely ignored by mainstream manufacturers. He also pioneered advertising strategies that featured Black models and celebrities, most notably the Jackson 5, who endorsed Afro Sheen.

Beyond business, Johnson was a philanthropist and a civil rights advocate. He used his wealth and influence to support educational initiatives and community development. His legacy is not just in the products he sold, but in the doors he kicked open for generations of Black entrepreneurs who followed.