Chicago — Ferrero North America, in partnership with U.S. Black Chambers Inc., has awarded $150,000 to three Black entrepreneurs through its 2026 Famous Amos Ingredients for Success program.
Now in its sixth year, the initiative provides three early-stage business owners with $50,000 each in funding, along with mentorship, networking opportunities, and educational resources designed to support business growth.
The 2026 recipients are:
- The Brunch Munch, a St. Petersburg, Florida-based food truck founded by Ashley Reed.
- Maison Black, a New York City-based fashion platform founded by Tori Nichel.
- The Marriage Pinnacle, a Maryland-based relationship support platform co-founded by Dr. Lara and relationship coach Memi.
According to Ferrero, this year’s program attracted more than 2,800 applications, more than double the number received in 2025, making it the largest applicant pool since the initiative launched.
“Six years in, Ingredients for Success remains one of the most meaningful ways we show up as a brand,” says Keith Peterfeso, vice president of marketing for Famous Amos. “We’re proud to back founders at a critical stage of growth and carry forward what Wally Amos understood: that support at the right moment can make a big difference.”
Ferrero says the program comes as many small businesses face ownership transitions. Citing Project Equity, the company notes that more than half of privately held U.S. businesses with employees are owned by individuals older than 55, and many do not have formal succession plans.
The winners were selected by a panel that included entrepreneur and author “Rev” Shawn Amos, son of Famous Amos founder Wally Amos; Steve Canal, founder of ONE Venture Group; and Tracy Vontelle Green and Nancey Flowers-Harris of Vontelle Eyewear, who were inaugural Ingredients for Success recipients.
With the addition of the 2026 recipients, Ferrero says the Ingredients for Success program has awarded $900,000 to 18 businesses since its launch in 2020.
