PIE Stories
George Floyd
After the murder of Mr. George Floyd, Rose’s call to action was for people to bake pies virtually in their homes with her. Some went to the memorial site, some went to Lake St. businesses, some went to community leaders, and some went to Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts in South Minneapolis. Semilla has taught over 2,300 people how to create artwork and murals to heal their community. The artist who created the now-famous mural for George Floyd was one of the first artists mentored at Semilla. Coverage here.
Voices for Racial Justice
This organization works with communities to build racial equity into conversations about education, economic opportunity, health, safe neighborhoods, affordable housing, public transportation, criminal justice, and more. Their work leads the way toward more inclusive and equitable Minnesota. The organization participated in several events with Sweet Potato Comfort Pie.
Tree of Life Synagogue
Sweet Potato Comfort Pie teamed with Heilicher Minneapolis Jewish Day School to bake kosher sweet potato comfort pies. The pies were delivered to the people impacted by the deadly Pittsburgh synagogue attack, and included gathering, story sharing and discussion. Coverage of the story here.
Martin Luther King Jr. Events
Many churches and schools have adopted the Sweet Potato Comfort Pie Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday of Service model to create their own community-building event for the holiday. This includes “pie-dentity workshops”, discussions, and baking the number of pies that correspond to the age Martin Luther King would currently be had he lived.
Mogadishu: St. Louis Park
After the terrorist attack in Mogadishu, St. Louis Park police officers wanted to do something to show they cared and reach out to the local Somali community. It was “an opportunity to bring community members and police department and the city to talk and get to know one another,” said Lieutenant Mikael Garland with the St. Louis Park police. Coverage here.
Charleston, SC: AME Church
56 sweet potato pies were brought to the church that was a victim of a white supremacist terrorist attack that killed 9. Roughly 150 people were in attendance to receive the pies and experience solidarity and offers of comfort and support. That group included the Rev. Norvell Goff, who has stepped in to lead the church after pastor Clementa Pinckney was killed. Coverage here.
The 810 Project
Founder Tim Daniels was presented with a pie from Farrell Terry of Eagan, Minnesota, in appreciation of Tim’s vision with the “810 Project” in North Minneapolis. Tim, with his own time and resources is building a safe space for people to come in off the streets for prayer and healing.
YouthCARE (Youth for Cultural Appreciation & Racial Equality)
This group received honorary pies in appreciation of their work inspiring intercultural leadership of city youth, ages 7-18.
WE WIN Institute
WE WIN is a community-based organization dedicated to the academic and social success of all children. The organization fosters a “can do” attitude and a positive belief for the children in themselves, their communities, and their world. Jameica Norman, Reba Kissell, Rakia Norman, Selena Lerma, Titi Bediako and Tyona Spencer participated in a team-building “group bake” and helped in every aspect of pie baking.
Congressman Keith Ellison
Representative Ellison was the first African American elected from Minnesota to the U.S. House and the first Muslim elected to Federal office. He now serves as the Attorney General of Minnesota, and received a pie when he spoke at Sweet Potato Comfort Pie’s 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. event.
Standing Rock and Line 3
Rose McGee traveled personally to bring solidarity and comfort pie to the indigeneous-led protest encampment at Standing Rock. Pies were also brought to the Line 3 protest camps.
Solidarity with our Asian Sisters
A special pie event and healing circle was held to express solidarity in the face of rising hate crimes against Asian Americans during the pandemic.