George E. Johnson Sr., known for building Johnson Products Co. into a leading force in cosmetics and hair products for African Americans, passed away at his Chicago home. The Johnson family confirmed his death. Johnson had a significant impact on post-World War II Black Americans through his company’s diverse product line, featuring popular items like Afro Sheen, Classy Curl, and Ultra Sheen, and through sponsorship of ‘Soul Train.’ Founded in 1954, Johnson Products became a symbol of Black entrepreneurial success.
Johnson was born in Richton, Mississippi, in 1927 and moved to Chicago at age 2. He grew up in Bronzeville and started working early, taking various jobs such as collecting milk bottles, shining shoes, and delivering newspapers. Johnson became a door-to-door salesman for Fuller Products, eventually joining its laboratory team, which taught him production skills. This experience was foundational for his later success.
George Johnson spent a decade with Fuller, embraced the ‘Golden Rule’ philosophy, and developed a hair straightening formula. This breakthrough led him to create Johnson Products using a $250 loan. Starting in a rented space, he grew the business by dedicating his evenings to work after his day job. By 1958, the company expanded its offerings to women, grew into larger facilities, and achieved $1 million in annual revenue by 1964. Product innovation continued with Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen lines.
The company’s growth was explosive, reaching $12 million in sales by 1970. Johnson Products went public in 1971, the first Black-owned company on American Stock Exchange, amplifying its influence by sponsoring ‘Soul Train.’ The sponsorship increased brand visibility and boosted sales to $40 million by 1977. However, challenges arose with Federal Trade Commission’s intervention regarding product labels, which affected consumer trust and sales.
Despite financial hurdles, Johnson Products maintained prominence in the 1980s. It secured endorsements from Michael Jordan and his mother, Deloris. Johnson faced personal challenges, with his wife filing for divorce in 1988, resulting in his exit from the company in 1989. Johnson Products was sold to Ivax Corp. in 1993, changing ownership several times before returning to Black ownership.
George Johnson also contributed to financial institutions like Independence Bank and served on several influential boards, including the U.S. Postal Service and Commonwealth Edison. Later in life, he remarried his first wife before her death in 2019 and survived by his third wife, Madeline Murphy Rabb, three sons, a daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Services for Johnson are pending.
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