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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 “CHEESECAKEFUNK” on a flyer and strengthening and growing special invite for a “Paisley the Cheesecake Funk brand. After Dark Park”show that “After working as a senior took place on November 6 paralegal for 20 years, it is and 7 in 2015. He was inviting honestly a privilege and honselect people to view his “007” or baking,” said Drews. film and enjoy the superb In March 2020, Cheesecake cheesecake. The late legend's Funk re-emerged but then endorsement helped launch the pandemic hit. Drews exthe brand. plained, “I moved into the

Cheesecake Funk also Kitchen Space March 1. Then sparked the interest of proCOVID hit; the shutdown ducers at “Shark Tank,” a pophappened in mid-March. I deular TV show that showcases cided to take a pause in April," innovative entrepreneurs. “It she said. After taking time to was super cool. By chance, I reflect, she began offering an saw something online,” said online ordering option and Drews. After submitting her curbside pick-up. business, she was called upon As for the impact of COto pitch it to the judges. We'll VID, the landscape has been stay tuned to find out the outchallenging. “There’s been come of her pitch. some ups and downs, but I’m

During August 2019, trying to ensure the highest Drews departed from worklevel of safety. When restauing a 9-5 job to focus on rants shut down, I wasn’t able

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Working Together to Make Black, Indigenous, and People Cultural Wellness Center works with individuals, communities, families, of Color Communities Stronger academic institutions, government agencies, philanthropists, and other

In 2016, the City of Minneapolis was selected to participate in the Resilnon-profit organizations to build a body of knowledge and web of relationience in Communities after Stress & Trauma (ReCAST) Program through a ships that support community engagement, intercultural communication, multi-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' and personal responsibility. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This partnership is also strengthened by collaboration with Dr. Reid, ReCAST is intended to assist youth in high-risk geographies and their famwho is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, professor, speaker, suilies and promote resilience and equity in communities that have recently pervisor, and consultant with extensive experience in private practice, faced civil unrest through implementation of evidence-based violence training and supervising students and interns. As founder of Relationships, prevention and community youth engagement programs, as well as linkLLC, a therapy mental health training center, he leads the center in providages to trauma-informed behavioral health services. SAMHSA created the ing inclusive education, training and mental health services to individuals, ReCAST Program to support communities that have lived through demoncouples, family, and community. strations of mass protest in response to police-involved shootings of un armed African American males. It is also intended to help those commu About the Community Project nities with high rates of violence develop trauma-informed approaches. AALF, Cultural Wellness Center, and Relationship LLC were identified by

Minneapolis is one of eight cities nationwide that received this grant the City of Minneapolis’ Division of Race and Equity as valuable resources award, working across Black, Indigenous, people of color, immigrant, and for designing and implementing a process that includes the: refugee communities. The resources of this award will be used to build (1) development and implementation of a web-based repository of collective power and to the shift the historical and future impact of sysproviders, community cultural healers and licensed mental/behavioral tems on our communities. health providers available to the community;

The African American Leadership Forum (AALF) is excited to announce (2) increasing the number of providers in the repository to receive the launch of a Cultural Health & Wellness Directory, which was developed training in trauma-informed approaches, violence prevention, mental by our 2020 Collective Impact Workstream cohort in partnership with the health literacy, and other related training mental health or related workCultural Wellness Center and Relationships LLC. AALF’s Collective Impact force trained in behavioral/mental healthtrauma-informed approaches, Initiative, comprised of a Task Force & Workstream cohort includes dy (3) increasing the number of individuals (youth and family members) namic African American innovators from across the Twin Cities and Minfrom the ReCAST Minneapolis geographical area of focus receiving sernesota, who are chosen through a comprehensive application process to vices for trauma informed behavioral health, and identify the Black community’s most pressing challenges and engage in (4) developing and implementing a process to provide funding to proprojects that help solve them. The Cultural Health & Wellness Directory viders in the repository to increase the number of individuals (youth and is a resource for recovering resilience and building the capacity of cultural family members) receiving services for trauma informed behavioral health. practitioners to provide improved services to Black, Indigenous and POC communities. By working together, AALF, the Cultural Wellness Center, and RelaAbout the Partnership throughout the state with an essential resource that supports health &

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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 tionship LLC are providing the Black community and IPOC communities

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.