In 2013, a dear friend and I embarked on a spontaneous girls' trip to Waikiki, longing for relaxation and a change of scenery. Hawaii has always held a special place in my heart, and I often daydream about permanently living in the Aloha state. Little did we know that this trip would offer me an encounter that would linger in my memory for years to come.

As we strolled down a quaint residential street in Waikiki, my friend and I spotted a Black man standing behind a long table in the distance. His table was laden with an array of homemade cookies, and as we drew closer, I couldn't believe my eyes—it was Wally "Famous" Amos himself!

Growing up, I have fond memories of daily visits to our local bodega after school. With my hard-earned pocket change clutched tightly in my hand, I would eagerly make my way to the counter and exchange it for my favorite treat: a small bag of chocolate chip cookies.

What made these cookies extra special was not just their delicious taste but the fact that Amos, a successful Black entrepreneur, created them. In a society where representation was often lacking, seeing a Black man like Amos achieving great success was incredibly inspiring. His cookies became more than just a sweet treat; they symbolized hope and empowerment.

As we approached Amos' table, I couldn't resist admiring his work. I shared with him how his cookies had brought joy and comfort to me throughout my childhood. He greeted us with a warm smile, and we conversed about his journey, his passion for baking, and the importance of representation. It wasn’t lost on me that here was a man who had so much success as the first Black Hollywood agent, to creating a cookie brand that were on shelves everywhere, but eventually, his business collapsed, and later on in life, he no longer owned his brand. When I told him I wanted to start my own cookie venture, he gave me a big smile and told me to go for it. 

Years later, I went for it - during a pandemic. Instead of cookies, I was hawking frozen cookie dough so people could make whatever size cookie they desired. Let me tell you, after two months of shipping frozen dough, I was over it. But every couple of weeks, someone would hit me up asking if I was still selling dough. And recently, after a friend stopped by my house and happened to try some of my cookies, I decided to relaunch my cookie company under a different name, and so Chipz Wit Attitude was born. To streamline the business, I only offer my favorite cookies: chocolate chip or chocolate chip with walnuts. So far, the reception has been good and hopefully, one day, they’ll be on shelves. 

As the world mourns the death of an entrepreneur who put his blood, sweat, and tears into his cookies, it reminds me of the power of dreams and the significance of representation. It also underscores the beauty of connecting with others, sharing stories, and celebrating the diversity that makes our world richer and more vibrant.