George E. Johnson, Pioneer of Black Cosmetics and Soul Train Supporter, Dies at 99

George E. Johnson, an American businessman and pioneer in cosmetics for Black consumers, has passed away at the age of 99. Johnson also played a significant role in the national marketing of the influential music program Soul Train. Born in Mississippi in 1927, his family relocated to Chicago as part of the Great Migration. He discovered a lucrative market in hair straightening products for Black Americans seeking to conform to white beauty standards. Johnson developed his own product, Ultra Sheen, after securing initial funding from friends and a deceptive bank loan. The product became a staple in many Black households, marking the beginning of his business empire. Johnson was committed to giving back to the Black community, implementing profit-sharing for employees, continuing pay during holidays, and establishing scholarships and school breakfast programs. He adapted his business strategies as trends evolved, shifting to afro-centric products in the 1960s and promoting the "black is beautiful" message with Swahili slogans. His company, Johnson Products, achieved a significant market share and became the first Black-owned business listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1971. In the same year, Johnson's sponsorship was instrumental in launching Soul Train into national syndication. This program provided a vital platform for artists like The Jackson 5 and Marvin Gaye, who struggled for visibility on mainstream television. Soul Train evolved into a cultural phenomenon, influencing music, dance, and fashion, and aired until 2006. Johnson's family noted that he never forgot his humble origins as a sharecropper's son, which shaped his values of humility, dedication, personal responsibility, and the Golden Rule.