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Planet Money
Planet Money

How Black hair care grew Black power

Jan 7, 2026 · 29m
AI Summary
  • George and Joan Johnson built Johnson Products Company into a multi-billion-dollar Black hair care industry starting with Afro Sheen product
  • Afro Sheen funded Soul Train television show and fueled the civil rights movement, creating pathways to Black wealth and cultural power
  • Despite creating the modern Black hair care industry, the Johnsons no longer own part of it; the story spans the conk, afro, and jheri curl eras

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