2 minute read
Teens Who Care
by Dhyana Mishra
Nazhi “Thee Baker” Forrest
Nazhi Forrest may only be 16 years old, but she is already a thriving social entrepreneur, working to help those suffering from sickle cell anemia. Through her business, Nazhi Thee Baker, LLC, Nazhi combines her love of baking and her personal experiences with the hereditary blood disorder to inspire others affected by it.
Nazhi’s mission began in 2014 when her older sister Shakarra, now 21 years old, suffered a stroke thought to have been triggered by sickle cell anemia. Diagnosed with the disease since infancy, Shakarra, Nazhi, and their younger sister Italiyah spent years in and out of hospitals, searching for relief from stabbing pain, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms.
“After my sister’s stroke, I was angry and sad,” says Nazhi, a junior at Treasure Coast High School in Port St. Lucie.
Shakarra’s stroke was a turning point. Learning that processed foods were impacting the girls’ health, the family turned to healthy foods with natural ingredients.
“Once the doctor told us that certain foods were killing us, I did something about it,” says Nazhi. “I began to bake healthier treats since we couldn’t eat store-bought treats at all.”
Nazhi began experimenting in the kitchen, baking cookies and cakes with unrefined ingredients. At the suggestion of a neighbor, she started selling her products, and soon her business was born.
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice limited edition Bundt Cakes. Nazhi's baked goods are made with organic and unrefined ingredients.
Nazhi, her mom Nashanta, younger sister Italiyah and older sister Shakarra with Miramar’s Vice Mayor Maxwell Chambers and volunteer LisaOgenio Cameron. The Nazhi Thee Baker Angel Foundation provides backpacksfor children with sickle cell anemia, one of many projects to helpchildren with different forms of chronic illnesses.
These days, every Saturday at 1 A.M., Nazhi wakes up to bake chocolate chip cookies and small Bundt cakes that she and her family sell later in the morning at the Farmers Market on Ocean Drive in Vero Beach. All proceeds support the nonprofit Nazhi Thee Baker Angel Foundation. With the funds, Nazhi distributes TLC bags to hospitalized children, holds Christmas toy drives, and sponsors cake-decorating contests. Recently, she started “Healthy Hearts Walk” to raise awareness about sickle cell anemia and to promote healthy eating habits.
“We lived our lives constantly in fear, but after 2014, when Nazhi started baking, hope came alive,” says Nazhi’s mom Nashanta, the foundation’s executive director. “Even though my daughters battle sickle cell anemia, they still want to give back to children whose lives are restricted by chronic illnesses.”
Nazhi says, “Just seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they enjoy my treats and helping so many people encourages me. I hope I can motivate younger people to follow their dreams under any circumstances, just like I did.”
