Soul Train

George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products Company and pioneer of Black hair care products, died at 99. His company became the first Black-owned business publicly traded on a major stock exchange and sponsored 'Soul Train,' a nationally syndicated Chicago-based show.

George E. Johnson Sr., founder of Johnson Products, the first Black-owned company listed on the American Stock Exchange, died at 99. His company, started in 1954 with a $250 loan, became a Black hair care empire with brands like Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen, and sponsored 'Soul Train.' He also founded Independence Bank and established an educational fund awarding over 1,000 scholarships.

George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products Company, died at 99 in Chicago. He established the company in 1954 with his wife using a $250 loan, creating hair care products for Black consumers and achieving 80% market dominance by 1960. The company became the first Black-owned business listed on the American Stock Exchange in 1971.

George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products Company, died at 99 in Chicago. He established the company in 1954, creating hair care products for Black consumers during a time when such markets were overlooked. The company became a leader in the Black hair-care industry, achieving 80% market share by 1960 and listing on the American Stock Exchange in 1971 as the first Black-owned company to do so.

George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products Company, died at 99. He started the company in 1954 with his wife Joan using a $250 loan, creating hair care products for Black consumers. The company became the first Black-owned business listed on the American Stock Exchange in 1971.

George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products and sponsor of 'Soul Train,' died at 99. He built a Black hair-care empire with products like Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen, founded a Black-owned bank, and helped shape the television show that influenced a generation.

George E. Johnson, who built a Black hair care empire, has died at 99. His hair product company was a longtime sponsor of TV’s 'Soul Train' and became the first Black-owned business listed on a major American stock exchange.

George E. Johnson, founder of Johnson Products Company, died at 99. He established the company in 1954, which became a multi-million-dollar business and the first Black-owned company to trade on the American Stock Exchange in 1971. His products, including Ultra Sheen and Classy Curl, pioneered hair care for Black consumers.