Carson/Johnson Products Continues its Commitment toAfrican-American Women; 15th Annual...

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 27, 1999--

Carson/Johnson Products, a leading manufacturer of ethnic hair care products, announces the winners of "SEARCH", The Gentle-Treatment(R) Model Search Contest. This year's national competition attracted more than 3,000 women of color who competed

Eighteen finalists from cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York participated in the grand finale. After a weekend of interviews and photo sessions, the celebrity panel of judges selected New York's Lori Holden as the new face of Gentle-Treatment(R). Miss Holden, a senior at the University of Virginia, received a grand prize that included $10,000 cash, a trip on American Airlines and a one-year modeling contract. The first runner up was Chicago's Valenya Clark receiving $5000 cash, while D.C. native Laticia Swanston took home the second runner-up prize of $2,500.

Dr. Roy Keith, chairman of Carson Products says, "We are proud to have selected winners who possess the charisma of the new millennium's Black woman." Keith, who presented awards to each winner says, "As we move into the next century, we want women of color to know that we are committed to giving them products that they want and need."

In addition to overall appearance, winners were selected based on style, poise and personality. Dennis Shortt, SEARCH's event agency representative says, "We knew that the competition would be fierce. Each finalist represented her city with class and showed that she is beautiful both inside and out. In our eyes they are all winners."

Hosted at the Chicago Fine Arts Exchange, the elegant gala included comedy, musical performances and a fashion show featuring premier designs from the collections of Gigi Hunter and Debra Ward's Biba bis.

Carson/Johnson Products Co. Inc. manufactures over 200 different products. Headquartered in Savannah, GA, the company specializes in developing innovative health and beauty aids for people of color. Other brands include Ultra Sheen, Precise, Bantu and Magic Shave.

Photos available upon request.

For more information visit the Johnson/Carson

website at www.johnson-carson.com