Meeting George E. Johnson Sr. felt like stepping into a time machine and shaking hands with history. And let me tell you—I was GEEKED. This man built Afro Sheen and Johnson Products from scratch right in the backyard of Chicago! 

And he just released a book about how he did it. I've been enjoying it and sharing it with my boys. 

If you’re in the beauty business—especially the Black beauty business—George E. Johnson Sr. is basically royalty. He started with just $500 (FIVE. HUNDRED. DOLLARS.), mixed hair products in his kitchen, and turned that into a multi-million-dollar empire. I mean, what even?! His company was the first Black-owned business on the American Stock Exchange and was the sole sponsor of Soul Train! That’s right—when you saw all those flawless ‘fros bouncing down the Soul Train line? Afro Sheen had those curls POPPIN’.

So, when I had the chance to meet him, I had to keep my cool. (Spoiler: I failed.) I walked into the room, saw him, and immediately thought, Kim, be professional. But the fangirl in me was doing cartwheels. I also met some members of his family. 

We started talking, and whew—this man is a walking masterclass in business. He told us about the early days, how he convinced stores to carry his products, and how he built a Black-owned powerhouse despite every system trying to block him. He wasn’t just about selling hair products—he was about empowering Black people. And he didn’t stop at beauty; he played a huge role in getting Harold Washington elected as the first Black Mayor of Chicago! Imagine building an empire and helping to change the political landscape of a major city. Talk about legendary.

But beyond the business talk, meeting Mr. Johnson reminded me why I do this. CurlMix isn’t just about selling hair products; it’s about legacy. It’s about creating something that serves our community and lasts.

As I left, I couldn’t help but think about all the Black entrepreneurs—past and present—who had to fight just to have a seat at the table. Mr. Johnson built the table. And because of him, brands like CurlMix exist.

So, to Mr. Johnson: Thank you. For the blueprint, the inspiration, and for making it clear that Black businesses don’t just survive—we thrive.