DEC. 2021
MAGAZINE
Church Girl CEO
IN THIS ISSUE
SHAWN BROWN, FOOD NETWORK STAR, OWNER OF CHEESECAKED
HOLIDAY ISSUE
LEFTOVER OVERHAUL BEAUTY FAVES TO LOOK YOUR BEST…AND MORE
CONTRIBUTORS CEO/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF DEBORAH FRANKLIN SENIOR EDITOR JC GARDNER
Featured Columnists
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A Drink From The Well Spiritual Corner: Debrayta Salley
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Resolution Evolution: JC Gardner
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Travel & Tourism: Tracy Shorter
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Beauty and Fashion: Nichelle Johnson, Kolor Beauty
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Soul Focused: Latanya Henry-Smith, PhD, LSSP
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Culinary Tales: Cedreka Baggett
Food Network Star, Shawn Brown, Dishes on Baking Therapy By Deborah Franklin Many times, we’ve been told you never know who you're sitting next to so be on your best behavior. Never in a million years would I have imagined sitting next to the wonderfully talented chef, Shawn Brown, who was featured on the Food Network. For those of you who don't know, it’s one of my favorite channels. Okay, full disclosure! I had to slow down some of my episodes because I was trying to cook everything. I was killing my waistline and budget with all the new dishes. But I digress. I was in awe of Shawn’s story. She possessed such poise and grace that I had to have her on the cover of our holiday issue to showcase how her cheesecake business came to fruition after a devastating accident. Shawn shows that with faith and perseverance, there is a rainbow after the storm. DF: What was your inspiration for starting your cheesecake business? SB: I've been a baker all my life, but it was only after losing my ten-week-old son and being pronounced dead twice at the hands of a drunk driver that baking became my therapy. I didn't know it at the time but bringing people joy brought me joy. At the time, there was a boom in cupcakes. I thought there isn't anything small in a cheesecake form. Why not create a brand that is similar to cupcakes but in cheesecake? DF: How has cheesecake changed your life? SB: I get to bring joy to the world every day! My desserts make people smile and even for a second, they can be happy! It brings me joy to bring other people joy. DF: Tell us about your experience being featured on Food Network? SB: It was an honor to win "Most Over the top Milkshake in the country" via Food Network and also being featured on Food Network’s sister company the Cooking Channel was so much fun. We did the Christmas Chowdown Special with Carla Hall, and it was an absolute honor. It was a lot of work and long days but once you saw the finished product, you knew it was all worth it. Watching it back was so cool! 10
DF: Tell us about your Atlanta locations? SB: We recently opened at the Underground Atlanta this month. I'm so happy to be able to reopen after being closed for close to two years battling breast cancer. To now be cancer-free and be able to do what I love is a blessing. This location is in an artsy historic mall in downtown Atlanta. There is so much history, and I feel honored to be part of its comeback. Our Norcross location will have all of our famous cheesecakes, milkshakes, and unicorn grilled cheese but this location will have an event area to host everything from a birthday party to baby showers or anything celebratory. DF: Do you plan on expanding to other cities? Where? SB: I would love to expand to cities, especially my hometown Inglewood, CA. My goal is to eventually franchise all over the country. DF: What is your favorite holiday dessert and why? SB: Sweet potato pie cheesecake. This recipe was passed down to me by my grandmother and it also tastes so good. It's like my favorite two desserts combined then I added a caramel topping...yum! DF: What wine would you pair with cheesecake? SB: Sweet red wine or a sweet Riesling DF: When you hear, Church Girl CEO, what does it mean to you? SB: Church Girl CEO means to be a woman that lives for the King and wants to make Him proud. She is fearless, faithful, and a warrior. A Church Girl CEO can take her tragedies and turn them into triumphs! She understands she can do all things through Christ that strengthens her and walks with the grace of the Lord while being a mom, a wife, and a CEO! To keep up with Cheesecaked and their sweet creations, visit https://cheesecaked.com and follow their Instagram @cheesecaked. Cheesecaked Underground Atlanta is located at 50 LOWER Alabama Rd. Atlanta, GA 30303 Cheesecaked Norcross will open in 2022.
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