Johnson Products Co. 1969 Stock Certificate

This is an original Johnson Products Co., Inc. stock certificate, printed with the company’s 1969 corporate seal marking its official incorporation in Delaware. Issued after Johnson Products became the first Black-owned business traded on the American Stock Exchange in 1971, this document represents both a share of ownership and a pivotal moment in U.S. business and cultural history.

Johnson Products Co., Inc., founded by George E. Johnson, Sr. in 1954, was a trailblazer in the Black haircare industry. Its 1971 listing on the American Stock Exchange broke racial barriers in the corporate sector, inspiring generations of Black entrepreneurs and serving as a key milestone in economic empowerment. Johnson Products also revolutionized marketing by sponsoring culturally iconic media and championing Black pride movements during a pivotal era.