50 Top Names in Black Food

Saturday, March 24, 2012 - 19:45

The historic Atlanta landmark Paschals

is now part of a nationwide array of restaurants and airport venues -- Concessions International.

As we recognize the importance of the black food industry to American life during Black Food Month in March, we bring forward those who have had the perseverance, dignity, courage and talent to maintain the vigor of this important aspect of our shared heritage while demonstrating the business acumen to open multiple locations, expand products beyond their original base and affect the nutritional options available to underserved communities.

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.

Michael Russell, CEO of Concessions International, is building on the legacy of father Herman Russell with concessions for close to 100 restaurants in Atlanta, Denver and Detroit airports, plus the Virgin Islands. They've also continued the Paschal's tradition.

Nathaniel R. Goldston, Chairman of Gourmet Services, also in Atlanta, also has an airport presence along with company cafeterias and school food services for 200,000 grade schoolers and 40,000 college students.

Dr. Nobantu Ankoanda, founder of the Collard Greens Cultural Festival, began in East Palo Alto in 1998 and has spread to Atlanta, Chicago and Philadelphia with the tribute to black food.

Hussein Warmack, CEO of Universal Beverage, took command of the flavored lemonade category, propelling his brands into 20,000 retail outlets nationally.

Ralph Paige, Executive Director of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund, has led the revival of black agriculture, pointing out the loss of 10 million acres of farmland and supporting the Pigford litigation through farmer outreach.

Len Parks, Chairman of Home-Style Foods in Stockbridge, GA, brought the recipes of the former Parks Sausage back into the market, providing a range of pork, chicken and turkey products to households nationally.

Gladys Knight and Ron Winans set a standard for translating celebrity into restaurant success with their two Chicken and Waffles outlets in the Atlanta area.

Lloyd Price is another celebrity food success with Lawdy Miss Clawdy cereals, cookies and energy bars. He embeds the packaging with black history profiles.

John "Big Daddy" Bishop has expanded his Dreamland BBQ restaurants across the South because of the celebrities who swear by his menu.

Leah Chase has shown that good food can overcome even a hurricane by remaining as a magnet for New Orleans' black community with Dooky Chase restaurant.