There Is a God

We all have moments in life when something happens that lets us know that “only God” could have done that. One of my favorite stories from college came in September 1998 when I was on a Collegiate Explorations bus trip to the Atlanta Classic. My roommate and I had firmly taken our place as the social leaders of the bus - clowning around, wildin’ out, and doing what we could to make sure that everyone knew who we were…and they did. This one young lady took notice of my roommate - his appearance, his voice, his laugh, etc. She expressed to him that his crazy nature reminded her of a man from her hometown of Green Cove Springs, Florida.

What she didn’t know, was that the man from her hometown was my roommate’s father, who he had never met. Long story short, they exchanged information, and my roommate went home with Catarah Hampshire that following Thanksgiving, and met his father for the first time.

These days, I call Catarah BJ (short for Baby Jesus), and it’s highly appropriate given the heavenly taste of her sweet Southern Girl Desserts. While in Los Angeles this past September, I had the opportunity to visit Catarah and her partner’s new store located at 5571 W. Pico Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90019. I went simple, trying a sweet potato cupcake. I try not to embellish, but few culinary experiences have ever warranted the distinction of this cupcake. This cupcake was truly different than any other cupcake I had ever eaten. It was extremely dense, yet not too heavy. It was full of flavor, yet not too sweet. It was moist with just the right texture. This cupcake made me want to savor every crumb…and I did. The desserts prepared by the hands at Southern Girl Desserts are divine delicacies. Said another way, “they good.”

Apparently, I’m not the only person who appreciates the culinary delights created by BJ and her partner Shoneji Robison. In the Los Angeles area, their sweet potato pies and red velvet cupcakes were named “Best in the City” for two consecutive years. Southern Girl Desserts has also been featured on Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” and HGTV’s "Antonio Treatment", as well as numerous other magazines, newspapers, and periodicals. If these Southern belles seem vaguely familiar, you may remember them from the November 2011 edition of "Black Enterprise" where they were referred to as ‘Cupcake Queens.’ Until further notice, my new nickname for BJ is Page 94.

I told my story above for two reasons. #1 - Maybe there is such a thing as coincidence, but it’s more likely that God has a plan in shaping our destiny. I mean, who just meets their dad because they were acting a fool on a bus and some stranger noticed them. God puts us in situations to guide us along the path he has for us. Catarah saw something and spoke up. When opportunities are placed in front of you, take notice and say something. You never know where that chance opportunity might lead you, or someone else. #2 - We have a community in which we need each other. Cooperation, collaboration, consultation, and in certain circumstances conjuration are requisite pieces to collective growth. We have to be aware of those around us. Keep your ears perked for opportunities for others. Make that referral. Suggest that program. Opportunities, advice, and help for each other always comes full circle. With that said, if you’d like to bless yourself with some of BJ’s Southern treats and you don’t live in the Los Angeles area, try visiting their website www.southerngirldesserts.com, or giving them a call at 310-686-8916. One bite, and you’ll know that “there is a God.”