50 Top Names in Black Food

BlackRestaurant.NET's 50 Top Names in Black Food combine soul, sophistication and savvy and we are happy to show them long overdue appreciation.  Some of these businesses have endured for almost a century.  More details in Say Grace and Wipe Yo' Hands: BlackRestaurant.NET's Top 500 Places to Eat.  We will honor them in New York City to mark the 31 Ways 31 Days of National Black Business Month.

Sylvia Woods--The acknowledged "Queen of Soul Food" celebrates her 50th year at 328 Lenox Ave. in the heart of Harlem, but her face is in grocery stores internationally.

Gregory Calhoun--From Montgomery to Tuskegee to Selma, Calhoun operates a chain of six grocery stores which bring jobs and nutrition to the civil rights trail, with plans to add more to support the adminstration's healthy foods initiative.

Dr. John Boyd--Through two rounds of legal and legislative battles, this Southside Virginia farmer has successfully advocated for more than a billion dollars of restitution for black farmers.

Michael Moore--The new chairman of the rapidly growing leader in the Southern-style food category, Glory Foods, expanding its line to include entrees and new cooking methods.

Barbara Smith and Dan Gasby--B. Smith is the face of a multi-media and multi-product line including three spectacular restaurants, run with husband Gasby.  Don't be surprised to find these hands-on owners opening the door for you.

Lowell Hawthorne--Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery has become the largest black-owned franchise chain with 120 locations in nine states and a line of Caribbean food in grocery stores.

Hiawatha Williams--Dalllas-based Williams Fried Chicken has spread across Texas in more than 40 locations as Williams demonstrates leadership with his philanthropy.

Kristen and J.R. Pierce--The children of Harold Pierce maintain a far-flung alliance of Harold's Chicken Shacks across the Midwest to Las  Vegas. Pierce began before McDonald's and KFC.

Vance Sharp--The founder of Sharp Cellars leads the Association of African-American Vintners, a Northern California group which brings soul into the wine country.

A. Martel Scott Jr.--Founded in 1917 and still winning taste tests, Scott's Barbecue Sauce was patented in 1946 and ships one million bottles yearly from Goldsboro, NC