George E. Johnson Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George E. Johnson Sr.
|
|
|---|---|
Johnson in 2025
|
|
| Born | June 12, 1927 Richton, Mississippi, U.S.
|
| Died | July 6, 2026 (aged 99) Chicago
|
| Alma mater | Wendell Phillips High School (attended) |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1954–2026 |
| Known for |
|
| Spouse(s) | Madeline Murphy Rabb March 30,2022
Joan Henderson
(m. 1950; died 2019) |
| Children | 4 |
| Signature | |
 |
|
George Ellis Johnson Sr. (June 12, 1927 – July 6, 2026) was a brilliant American businessman and entrepreneur. He founded the Johnson Products Company, a famous international cosmetics company based in Chicago, Illinois. His company created popular hair care products like Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen. He showed everyone that with hard work and big ideas, anything is possible!
Contents
George Johnson's Amazing Journey
Early Life and Big Dreams
George Johnson was born in a very simple home in Richton, Mississippi. When he was just two years old, he moved to Chicago with his mother. From a young age, George was a hard worker. At eight years old, while still in elementary school, he started shining shoes to earn money.
Later, he attended Wendell Phillips High School. However, he left school early to work full-time. He worked as a bus boy during the day and set up pins at a local bowling alley in the evenings. In 1944, George got a job at a cosmetics company owned by Samuel B. Fuller. There, he learned a lot about making beauty products.
Building a Business Empire
In 1954, George Johnson decided to start his own company. With encouragement from his brother, he left his job. He founded Johnson Products with his wife, Joan. They focused on hair care products for African American men. George borrowed $500 to get his new business started.
Innovative Hair Care Products
The company's first product was Ultra Wave, a special hair relaxer for men. In 1957, they launched Ultra Sheen. This was a revolutionary hair straightener that women could easily use at home.
As the years passed, Johnson Products introduced more popular items. One of their most famous products was Afro Sheen. It came out in the late 1960s when the "Afro" hairstyle became very popular among African Americans. Johnson Products didn't just sell products; they also trained hair stylists on how to use them correctly.
Making History in Business
George Johnson was a true pioneer. In 1964, he founded Independence Bank. During the 1970s, his company became the main sponsor for the nationally televised dance show Soul Train.
A huge milestone happened in 1971. Johnson Products became the very first African American-owned company to be listed on the American Stock Exchange. This meant their company shares could be bought and sold by the public, showing how successful they had become. In that same year, George Johnson also became the first African American to join the board of directors for Commonwealth Edison, a major power company.
Family Life
George Johnson met Joan Betty Henderson when they were students in high school. They married in May 1950 and had four children: Eric, Joan, John, and George E. Johnson Jr. Later in his life, he married Madeline Murphy Rabb on March 30, 2022.
Awards and Special Recognition
George Johnson received many awards for his achievements. In 1981, he was given the Horatio Alger Award. This award honors people who have achieved success despite facing challenges. He also received the Babson Medal in 1983.
He was also honored with special degrees from universities. He received an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from College of the Holy Cross in 1975. In 1976, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Babson College.
