Afro Sheen Audiobook By George E. Johnson, Hilary Beard - contributor cover art

Afro Sheen

How I Revolutionized an Industry with the Golden Rule, from Soul Train to Wall Street

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Afro Sheen

By: George E. Johnson, Hilary Beard - contributor
Narrated by: Wintley Phipps
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About this listen

The inspiring and resilient story of George E. Johnson, creator of the iconic Afro Sheen and the first Black-owned company to be traded on Wall Street

You might already be familiar with Afro Sheen and Ultra Sheen, but have you heard of the man behind the company that produced these products? In Afro Sheen, George Ellis Johnson, the acclaimed self-made businessman, reveals his inspiring and captivating rise from humble beginnings to the top of the haircare industry.

At just twenty-seven years old, after years of traveling the country and going from barbershop to barbershop to sell his products, Johnson created the Johnson Products Company. JPC was the first Black-owned company to trade on a major stock exchange, became the financial sponsor of Soul Train, and was once considered the largest Black-owned manufacturing company in the world. At the height of its success, JPC was worth $37 million.

In this coming-of-age story, Johnson uses the life skills and strong character built from working odd jobs as a teenager and practicing the Golden Rule to create a business that both nurtures and advances the Black community. Without a formal education, he filled a gap in the Black haircare industry and created a high-quality formula for straightening hair and the iconic Ultra Sheen and Afro Sheen products that supported Black people in expressing their authentic beauty.

For decades, Johnson has been an inspiration to Black entrepreneurs, setting an example of Black wealth and providing a safe space for Black people to work.

Afro Sheen is a timely, impassioned look at both an industry and cultural moment; Johnson’s impact is finally on full display, as he brilliantly highlights how having perseverance and a daring vision can create both change and a lasting legacy.

©2025 George E. Johnson and Hilary Beard (P)2025 Little, Brown & Company
Business Entrepreneurship

Critic reviews

"Afro Sheen is a deeply personal, engaging account from an American business legend, and fills in the blank on the history of 20th century Black entrepreneurs." —Margot Lee Shetterly, New York Times bestselling author of HIDDEN FIGURES
"I am eternally indebted to George Johnson. He was the foundation of my career. Without his belief, wise counsel, and support of me in my early life, my future would not have been the same." —Reverend Jesse Jackson
"Johnson's story exemplifies entrepreneurial success and underscores his role in championing Black culture and community upliftment. His memoir offers valuable lessons on resilience, mentoring, strategic thinking, and community impact, making it an essential read for those seeking inspiration from a transformative era in American business history."—Hermene Hartman, Talk Show Host of NDIGO STUDIO

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