Michelle R. Johnson

Michelle Johnson is the co-founder and CEO of Ghost Town Oats, an award-winning premium oat milk brand made by baristas. A seasoned coffee professional with over a decade of experience, Michelle’s journey from behind the bar to leading a disruptive brand is fueled by a deep commitment to equity, authenticity, and freedom—values that have shaped every step of her career.

Michelle first made waves in the coffee industry as the creator of The Chocolate Barista, the foremost platform amplifying Black voices in specialty coffee. As an award-winning barista, a US Barista Championship competitor, and an industry advocate, she used her platform to challenge norms and reimagine a more inclusive coffee space. Her expertise spans multiple cities and continents—from Washington, DC, to Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Melbourne—where she honed her skillsets in business consulting, community building, and creative marketing, and built a reputation as a leader in coffee culture.

In 2020, she co-founded Ghost Town Oats to address a gap she saw firsthand: a lack of approachability in the growing plant-based milk market. Ghost Town Oats isn’t just another oat milk—it’s a brand that embodies culture, community, and the creativity of the people who make coffee what it is. Under Michelle’s leadership, Ghost Town Oats has been featured in Saveur, Imbibe, Thrillist, and Dieline, gaining recognition for its bold branding and commitment to rewriting the industry’s playbook.

Beyond business, Michelle’s mission is to inspire others to forge their paths—especially those who, like her, have had to navigate life’s uncertainties with resilience and vision. She believes in building a world where flexibility, self-expression, and care for the people around us aren’t just ideals but realities. Through Ghost Town Oats, she’s not just selling oat milk; she’s creating a movement—one that invites everyone to take up space, be seen, and thrive on their terms.

Committed to Diversity and Inclusion: Michelle Johnson enriches our conference with their experience as a Black queer woman founder.