George E. Johnson Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George E. Johnson Sr.
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| Born | June 12, 1927 Richton, Mississippi, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Wendell Phillips High School (attended) |
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| Years active | 1954–present |
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| Spouse(s) |
Joan Henderson
(m. 1950; died 2019) |
| Children | 4 |
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George Ellis Johnson Sr. (born June 12, 1927) is a famous American businessman. He is known for starting the Johnson Products Company. This company became a huge success, selling popular hair care products like Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen all over the world from its base in Chicago, Illinois.
Contents
The Story of George E. Johnson Sr.
Early Life and First Jobs
George Johnson was born on June 12, 1927, in a small house in Richton, Mississippi. When he was just two years old, he moved to Chicago with his mother, Priscilla. His parents had separated.
Life was not always easy for George. By the age of eight, while still in elementary school, he started working. His first job was shining shoes. Later, he went to Wendell Phillips High School. However, he left school early to work full-time. He worked as a bus boy during the day. In the evenings, he set pins at a local bowling alley. In 1944, George got a job at a cosmetics company. He worked there as a production chemist.
Starting His Own Business
In 1954, George Johnson decided to start his own company. A co-worker encouraged him to do it. He teamed up with his wife, Joan, to create Johnson Products. Their goal was to make hair care products for African American men.
To get started, George borrowed $250 from a bank. He also borrowed another $250 from a friend. The company's very first product was called Ultra Wave. It was a hair relaxer for men. In 1957, they launched Ultra Sheen. This was a new kind of hair straightener that women could easily use at home.
Growing a Hair Care Empire
Over the next 25 years, Johnson Products introduced many more popular items. One of their most famous products was Afro Sheen. It came out in the late 1960s. This was when the "Afro" hairstyle became very popular for African Americans.
Johnson Products kept growing for decades. They focused on making great products. They also trained hair stylists on how to use their products correctly. In 1964, George Johnson also started Independence Bank. In the 1970s, his company became the main sponsor for the TV dance show Soul Train.
In 1971, Johnson Products made history. It became the first company owned by an African American to be listed on the American Stock Exchange. This was a huge achievement! That same year, George Johnson also became the first African American to join the board of directors at Commonwealth Edison, a big power company.
Family Life
George Johnson married Joan Betty Henderson. They met when they were both students at Phillips High School. They got married in May 1950. They later divorced in 1989 but remarried in 1995. Together, George and Joan had four children: Eric, Joan, John, and George E. Johnson Jr.
Awards and Special Recognitions
George Johnson has received many honors for his work. In 1981, he was given the Horatio Alger Award. This award celebrates people who have achieved success despite challenges. He also received the Babson Medal in 1983.
He has also been given honorary degrees from colleges. In 1975, he received an honorary Doctor of Commercial Science degree from College of the Holy Cross. In 1976, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Babson College.
