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Business
August 20 - 26, 2020
Desserts delectable enough to satisfy a Prince Cheesecake Funk Black Business SPOTLIGHT by Ashley Lauren Contributing writer “I love baking because it brings people joy," said Vanessa Drews, owner and head baker of Cheesecake Funk. She operates her business out of Kitchen Space, a commercial kitchen located at 5750 Lyndale Avenue S. in Minneapolis. Drews, a South Minneapolis native, began her baking
Then in 2013, Drews found work at Paisley Park. “I was super honored working for Prince," she recalled. "I would set up his merchandise. I had been making cheesecake for family and friends.” But her cheesecakes eventually got Prince’s attention, as it became an instant hit amongst band members and staff at Paisley Park. “I would bring cheesecakes for them to put in the fridge," continued Drews. "I
Vanessa Drews, owner of Cheescake Funk
Cheesecake Funk! legacy in 2003 when she'd whipped up her signature cheesecake for friends and relatives. Later in 2008, her desserts were exclusively available at McMahon’s Irish Pub. Unfortunately, the pub was engulfed by a tragic fire in April 2010. As a result, Drews took a break from baking cheesecake and worked full-time as a senior paralegal.
made them as a care package for those who came to visit Minnesota.” To her surprise, Prince rocked with Cheesecake Funk. “I never thought he’d eat cheesecake because I thought he was vegan. He found it and tried it. He started posting it on Twitter.” His favorite? The turtle cheesecake. Prince referred to her cheesecake at “CHEESE-
CAKEFUNK” on a flyer and special invite for a “Paisley After Dark Park”show that took place on November 6 and 7 in 2015. He was inviting select people to view his “007” film and enjoy the superb cheesecake. The late legend's endorsement helped launch the brand. Cheesecake Funk also sparked the interest of producers at “Shark Tank,” a popular TV show that showcases innovative entrepreneurs. “It was super cool. By chance, I saw something online,” said Drews. After submitting her business, she was called upon to pitch it to the judges. We'll stay tuned to find out the outcome of her pitch. During August 2019, Drews departed from working a 9-5 job to focus on
strengthening and growing the Cheesecake Funk brand. “After working as a senior paralegal for 20 years, it is honestly a privilege and honor baking,” said Drews. In March 2020, Cheesecake Funk re-emerged but then the pandemic hit. Drews explained, “I moved into the Kitchen Space March 1. Then COVID hit; the shutdown happened in mid-March. I decided to take a pause in April," she said. After taking time to reflect, she began offering an online ordering option and curbside pick-up. As for the impact of COVID, the landscape has been challenging. “There’s been some ups and downs, but I’m trying to ensure the highest level of safety. When restaurants shut down, I wasn’t able
to fulfill orders,” said Drews. Now, Cheesecake Funk is busy processing orders. “I’ve had to pivot the pandemic," said Drews. She posted online that she would be hosting a pop-up event. To her amazement, she received over 50 orders within a day and a half. There was an outpouring of support. Customers picked up their orders curbside. It’s important to note that Drews' cheesecakes are intricately made from scratch. There’s a flavorful variation of traditional and unique cheesecakes to try. “Wide variety; solid 10-15 flavors. The traditional base of the cheesecake is so simple. Whether it’s Snickers Cheesecake or Keylime Pie. Customizing is totally ok too,” said Drews.
Customers can also order fresh flavors like apple, banana cream, blueberry, butterscotch, chocolate rain, cookies & cream, strawberry, turtle, white chocolate raspberry, and white chocolate caramel cheesecake. Each decadent dessert is baked by the owner. Cheesecake Funk desserts are also available at various restaurants in Minnesota. Customers can order a slice when they dine at the CRAVE Restaurants, Tequila Butcher, School of the Wise and/or Oak 19. In the future, Drew aspires to partner with local sports teams like the Twins and Vikings. Overall, “The main thing I want people to be aware of is my brand desserts,” said Drews. She encourages individuals to think of Cheesecake Funk when they want a rich, delectable dessert made from scratch. When asked what motivates her, Drews said, “Providing an amazing childhood experience for my kids. It motivates me. I want to provide a good homebase for them. Being a good mom and providing for them the best way I know how." Also, “My advice to youth is to gain all the education possible and follow your dreams. If you find interest in anything, excel at it and it will lead you onto an amazing journey in life,” said Drews. Cheesecake Funk is open Monday-Friday, 9 am to 5 pm and closed Saturday & Sunday. Note: Customers can place an order online Monday-Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. Orders are typically ready within 2-3 business days for curbside pick-up or delivery. For more info, visit www.cheesecakefunk.com. Ashley Lauren welcomes readers’ responses to alauren@spokesman-recorder.com.
Advertorial The African American Leadersip Forum (AALF), AALF is excited to be working with the Cultural Wellness Center (foundthe Cultural Wellness Center, and Relationships LLC Parted in 1996), a premier community and cultural knowledge-production ner to Launch a Cultural Health & Wellness Directory organization in the Twin Cities with a mission to engage in partnerships Working Together to Make Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Communities Stronger In 2016, the City of Minneapolis was selected to participate in the Resilience in Communities after Stress & Trauma (ReCAST) Program through a multi-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). ReCAST is intended to assist youth in high-risk geographies and their families and promote resilience and equity in communities that have recently faced civil unrest through implementation of evidence-based violence prevention and community youth engagement programs, as well as linkages to trauma-informed behavioral health services. SAMHSA created the ReCAST Program to support communities that have lived through demonstrations of mass protest in response to police-involved shootings of unarmed African American males. It is also intended to help those communities with high rates of violence develop trauma-informed approaches. Minneapolis is one of eight cities nationwide that received this grant award, working across Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrant, and refugee communities. The resources of this award will be used to build collective power and to the shift the historical and future impact of systems on our communities. The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) is excited to announce the launch of a Cultural Health & Wellness Directory, which was developed by our 2020 Collective Impact Workstream cohort in partnership with the Cultural Wellness Center and Relationships LLC. AALF’s Collective Impact Initiative, comprised of a Task Force & Workstream cohort includes dynamic African American innovators from across the Twin Cities and Minnesota, who are chosen through a comprehensive application process to identify the Black community’s most pressing challenges and engage in projects that help solve them. The Cultural Health & Wellness Directory is a resource for recovering resilience and building the capacity of cultural practitioners to provide improved services to Black, Indigenous and POC communities. About the Partnership AALF, the Cultural Wellness Center, and Relationships LLC have come together to fully leverage our shared resources to empower Minnesotans to heal themselves and to build their communities. With a unified voice AALF and these partners, including Dr. Joseph Reid, are providing services to the City of Minneapolis (Division of Race & Equity) to design and implement a process that tracks the ReCAST program objectives as stated in the Trauma and Resilience Services & Capacity Building RFP. This partnership aligns with AALF’s mission to establish a just and healthy society that works equally well for everyone and with empowering the African American community around the organization’s four focus areas: Economic Development, Education, Health & Wellness, and Family & Culture. As a data-driven nonprofit comprised of over 1,500 African American leaders from across Minnesota, AALF strives to provide the social, political and leadership capital necessary to close disparities in the Black community as it relates to the areas above.
that develop models to solve problems and create lasting solutions. The Cultural Wellness Center works with individuals, communities, families, academic institutions, government agencies, philanthropists, and other non-profit organizations to build a body of knowledge and web of relationships that support community engagement, intercultural communication, and personal responsibility. This partnership is also strengthened by collaboration with Dr. Reid, who is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, professor, speaker, supervisor, and consultant with extensive experience in private practice, training and supervising students and interns. As founder of Relationships, LLC, a therapy mental health training center, he leads the center in providing inclusive education, training and mental health services to individuals, couples, family, and community. About the Community Project AALF, Cultural Wellness Center, and Relationship LLC were identified by the City of Minneapolis’ Division of Race and Equity as valuable resources for designing and implementing a process that includes the: (1) development and implementation of a web-based repository of providers, community cultural healers and licensed mental/behavioral health providers available to the community; (2) increasing the number of providers in the repository to receive training in trauma-informed approaches, violence prevention, mental health literacy, and other related training mental health or related workforce trained in behavioral/mental healthtrauma-informed approaches, (3) increasing the number of individuals (youth and family members) from the ReCAST Minneapolis geographical area of focus receiving services for trauma informed behavioral health, and (4) developing and implementing a process to provide funding to providers in the repository to increase the number of individuals (youth and family members) receiving services for trauma informed behavioral health. By working together, AALF, the Cultural Wellness Center, and Relationship LLC are providing the Black community and IPOC communities throughout the state with an essential resource that supports health & wellness by connecting healers and practitioners with the individuals, families, and communities that need them the most.
Advertorial
This Prince invitation for a show in November 2015 helped launch the Cheesecake Funk brand. Submitted photos
