NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� As he approached his mid-90s, pioneering Black businessman George E. Johnson unexpectedly found himself determined 鈥� even called 鈥� to write his memoir.
Johnson's 鈥淎fro Sheen: How I Revolutionized an Industry with the Golden Rule, from Soul Train to Wall Street鈥� will be published Feb. 4 by Little, Brown and Company. The book's title is named for one of the most memorable consumer items his Johnson Products Company developed. Founded in 1954, Johnson Products was the first Black-owned company to be listed on the American Stock Exchange and was also known for sponsoring the popular 1970s music show 鈥淪oul Train.鈥�
Johnson, 97, worked on 鈥淎fro Sheen鈥� with the author-editor Hilary Beard. He hadn't thought of writing a book until three years ago.
鈥淚 had an epiphany on Sunday morning, November 21, 2021,鈥� he said in a statement released Wednesday by Little, Brown. "In that experience, I clearly heard five words: 鈥榊ou must tell your story.鈥� I believed it was the voice of the Lord. I made a 180 degree turn and immediately sought a writer.鈥�
The Associated Press
