How a Chicago hair care company fueled the rise of Black economic power
George and Joan Johnson built a hair care empire that did more than style hair. Their company, Johnson Products, became a financial engine for Black culture, funding iconic television and supporting the civil rights movement while helping to establish a multi-billion-dollar industry.
The story of Johnson Products Company centers on the vision of George and Joan Johnson, who leveraged their deep understanding of Black consumer needs to build a business in Chicago. Their flagship product, Afro Sheen, became synonymous with the Afro hairstyle, but the company's influence extended far beyond cosmetics. By providing the capital behind the television show Soul Train and contributing to the civil rights movement, the Johnsons played a pivotal role in fostering Black economic and cultural growth.
The company's history is marked by three distinct eras defined by the hairstyles of the time: the conk, the Afro, and the jheri curl. While the Johnsons were instrumental in transforming Black hair care into a massive industry, they eventually lost their stake in the company they founded.
