Douglas (Bronzeville) in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

George Johnson

1927-

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

George Johnson Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. George Johnson Marker

Inscription.
Founded Johnson Products Co., 1954

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.

Location. 41° 50.55′ N, 87° 37.024′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It can be reached from South Martin Luther King Drive north of East 29th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2851 South Martin King Drive, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

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The Savoy Big Five (within shouting distance of this marker); Reverend Mother York (within shouting distance of this marker); Jesse Owens (within shouting distance of this marker); Haki Madhubuti (within shouting distance of this marker); Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong / Lil Hardin-Armstrong (within shouting distance of this marker); Dempsey J. Travis (within shouting distance of this marker); Captain Walter Dyett (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Elijah Muhammad (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. Roughly 100 Bronzeville Walk of Fame markers are found around the neighborhood along Martin Luther King Drive between 25th and 35th Streets.

Regarding George Johnson. Johnson was one of the last living people to be recognized on the Walk of Fame. He died in Chicago in July 2026 at the age of 99.

Johnson's company was a pioneer in hair care products for Black consumers. He began his career working for Fuller Products, a door-to-door sales company on Chicago's South Side that emerged as one of the most successful Black businesses in America. (S.B. Fuller,

George Johnson Marker on the east side of King Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. George Johnson Marker on the east side of King Drive

that company's founder, is honored with a plaque on the Bronzeville Walk of Fame just a short distance north of Johnson's plaque.) Johnson started his company to create products tailored directly for Blacks, and 30 years later it became the first Black-owned company to be traded on the American Stock Exchange. The company's headquarters were at 8522 S. Lafayette, about 9 miles south of this marker. That building is today home to a charter school.

Also see . . .
1. Ahead of his 98th birthday, George E. Johnson reflects on trailblazing career in hair care. The Chicago Sun-Times looks at George Johnson's autobiography, which was published in 2025. Johnson died a year later at the age of 99. (Free login may be required.) (Submitted on August 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

2. WTTW-TV Chicago: George Johnson obituary. (Submitted on August 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 16, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.