Hair Care Pioneer George E. Johnson Sr. Dies at 99

George E. Johnson Sr., the pioneering founder of Johnson Products Company and a leader in the Black hair care industry, died on July 6, 2026, at his home in Chicago at the age of 99. Family reports regarding his cause of death differ, with his son, John Edward Johnson, attributing it to natural causes, while his wife, Madeline Murphy Rabb, cited a respiratory illness.

Johnson founded Johnson Products Company in 1954, building a multimillion-dollar empire with brands such as Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen. By 1960, his business commanded nearly 80 percent of the Black hair care market. In 1971, the company became the first Black-owned business listed on the American Stock Exchange. That same year, Johnson became the first Black American to serve on the board of directors of Commonwealth Edison.

Beyond cosmetics, Johnson established the Independence Bank of Chicago, one of the largest Black-owned banks. He was a pioneer in marketing to Black audiences, utilizing Black-owned advertising firms and providing the first national sponsorship for the television show Soul Train. His business empire was eventually sold to Ivax Corporation in 1993 for $32 million following a divorce. Johnson is remembered as a visionary leader who broke barriers on Wall Street and supported minority students through philanthropy.