Legacy didn’t knock on Dr. Michele Hoskins’ door—she built it, bottle by bottle.
Armed with her great-great-great-grandmother’s Butter Pecan syrup recipe and an unwavering belief in her calling, Dr. Hoskins transformed a family heirloom into a national gourmet food brand. Michele Foods, Inc. is now a household name, gracing the shelves of over 6,000 stores including Walmart, Target, Publix, Kroger, and Meijer. And it all began at a kitchen table with no staff, no capital—just a recipe, a dream, and divine determination.
“I didn’t have a business background, but I had a vision,” says Hoskins. “I knew our stories—and our flavors—deserved a place at America’s table.”
That bold belief led her to become the first minority supplier for both Denny’s and Walmart, a historic milestone that not only opened doors for her brand but widened the pathway for future Black-owned businesses. Her products landed on Oprah’s Favorite Things, and her bestselling memoir—now being developed into a feature film—shares the grit and grace behind every milestone.
The roots of Michele Foods run deeper than product placement. Founded on a legacy passed down from her ancestor America Washington, a former slave, the brand honors heritage, ownership, and perseverance.
“I once had to point to my chest and say, ‘This is where my company lives,’ because I had no office,” she recalls. “But I never gave up. I sold everything, moved into my mother’s attic, and kept going. That’s what building legacy looks like.”
That perseverance paid off. In 2024, Dr. Hoskins received the Trailblazer Award from Black Women in Food, cementing her influence as a pioneer in the consumer packaged goods industry. But she’s not done yet.
Her next mission? Expanding into manufacturing. Not just to scale production—but to create jobs, mentor women, and reclaim ownership in an industry that often excludes voices like hers.
“I want to see more Black-owned brands on the shelf—and more Black women at the helm,” she says. “This business isn’t just mine. It belongs to every little girl with a dream and a recipe in her heart.”
Michele Foods is more than a syrup brand—it’s a movement powered by soul, built on faith, and designed to inspire.
Follow and support the legacy:
🌐 Website: michelefoods.com
📸 Instagram: @michelesyrup
📘 Facebook: Michele’s Syrup
