local
Black hair-care founder, ‘Soul Train’ sponsor, George E. Johnson, dies
By Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk at WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· July 7, 2026
· 3 min read
The man who built an empire on black hair care products and was the bedrock for one of the television shows that shaped a generation has died. George E. Johnson was 99. Read more trending newsJohnson was born in a sharecropper’s cabin and made a fortune selling products such as Ultra Sheen and Af...
Key takeaway He died at his Chicago home on July 6 of respiratory illness, his wife Madeline Murphy Rabb said, according to The New York Times.
Why this matters
Local news anchors readers in their community — the people, places, and decisions that shape day-to-day life. The Atlanta covers these stories because national outlets often won't.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 7, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The man who built an empire on black hair care products and was the bedrock for one of the television shows that shaped a generation has died. George E. Johnson was 99. Read more trending newsJohnson was born in a sharecropper’s cabin and made a fortune selling products such as Ultra Sheen and Af...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 7, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Natalie Dreier, Cox Media Group National Content Desk at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter