My name is Christa, and I'm the baker behind Sweet Black Magic. My love for baking comes from the incredible Black women in my life who taught me that food is more than just something you eat—it's a way to show love, build community, and tell your story. My Nana (my dad’s mom) was born and raised in Bermuda, where she was nothing short of a legend. For decades, she poured her heart into pies, tarts, cookies, scones, and cakes for her community. My parents often sent me and my sister to Bermuda for Christmas or summer break to spend time with our family (but also to make up for those nasty Wisconsin winters we endured). Nana really didn’t like anyone invading her kitchen space, but she let me hang around and—on special occasions—help out. She never used measuring cups or recipes; she just cooked straight from the heart and always served up love.
Who We Are
Nana
Thanksgiving was all about my mom’s side of the family. Every year, we’d pile into the car and make the twelve-hour trek from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Conway, Arkansas to stay with my grandpa on his farm. My maternal grandma passed before I was born, but I grew up hearing stories of how talented she was in the kitchen. I never got a chance to talk to my grandma, but I got to know her through her daughters—my aunts—who also share her love for baking. I learned the magic of sweet potato pie, peach cobbler, and buttermilk biscuits through them. Their kitchens were lively, full of laughter, stories, and the irresistible smell of something sweet baking in the oven.
After graduating school in Boston, I moved to the Bay Area, where I finally gave in to the years of “you should totally sell this!” from friends, family, and coworkers. In 2023, I started Sweet Black Magic out of my little apartment in Oakland, California. It was a dream come true to share my love of baking with the Bay Area community. In 2024, I decided to take a leap and close up shop to travel the country with my spouse, reconnecting with my roots and gathering new inspiration. Now, I’m settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, ready to bring Sweet Black Magic to a whole new community!
Baking has always been my therapy and my love language. Every pie, every cookie, every cobbler is a piece of my story—a story I’m so excited to share with you!
