Mourners remember George E. Johnson as builder of Black business

July 17, 2026 - 02:08

At a visitation service held Thursday, family, friends, and community leaders gathered to remember George E. Johnson, the visionary founder of Johnson Products Company. Mourners described him as a man who not only built a business empire but also reshaped how the nation viewed Black consumers. One attendee noted that Johnson "created a demand for the city and the country to recognize that Black people are consumers," a sentiment echoed throughout the evening.

Johnson, who passed away at the age of 97, was widely known for transforming the hair care industry. His company became one of the first Black-owned firms to be publicly traded on the American Stock Exchange. Beyond financial success, he was celebrated for opening doors for Black entrepreneurs and professionals in advertising, manufacturing, and retail.

The visitation drew a diverse crowd, with many sharing stories of how Johnson's work inspired their own careers. His funeral is scheduled for Friday, where further tributes are expected. Johnson's legacy, mourners said, is not just in the products he sold but in the economic independence and dignity he helped build for an entire community.