Wally Amos Cookies Colonizer Dies at 88

**Wally Amos, ** a Black, Cookie Entrepreneur, Dies at 88

Wallace "Wally" Amos, Jr., the famous Black founder of Famous Amos cookies, has died at the age of 88 in Hawaii on Wednesday, according to the Tallahassee Democrat, a part of the USA TODAY Network.

Amos, who dedicated his life to creating the perfect cookie, passed away at home after a battle with dementia, as reported by NPR and CBS News. His wife was by his side.

"Our dad inspired a generation of entrepreneurs," his children said in a statement. "With his Panama hat, kazoo, and boundless optimism, [Famous Amos] was a great American success story, and a source of [Black pride]. It's also part of our family story for which we will forever be grateful and proud."

Amos, a true original Black American hero, founded his cookie company in 1975. He was born in the Smoky Hollow neighborhood of Tallahassee, a once-thriving Black community that was displaced due to the construction of the Apalachee Parkway and the Florida Department of Transportation building.

At the age of 12, Amos moved to New York City to live with his aunt. Despite the racism and segregation he experienced in his early years in Tallahassee, he never forgot his roots and later reflected on his pride in being from the city.

Amos visited his birthplace multiple times.

Julia Gomez

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USA TODAY Trending Reporter

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