March 2025 archive

A Slice of Determination: How Takeeka Goshay Grew Adored Sweets Against All Odds

By Chanda Temple

When Takeeka Goshay started Adored Sweets a decade ago, her cheesecake menu had one flavor: classic vanilla with two topping options. Fast forward to today, and that simple menu has exploded into 12 flavors, including banana pudding and the holiday-inspired sweet potato. 

And now, she’s adding three more flavors to the lineup: caramel, pure decadence with a hint of nostalgia; Samoa, the chocolate, caramel and coconut magic of a Girl Scout classic; and red velvet, a Southern charmer with a kiss of cocoa. 

Takeeka Goshay's popular strawberry crunch cheesecake was released in 2024 to rave reviews. (Photo by Chanda Temple)
Takeeka Goshay’s popular strawberry crunch cheesecake was released in 2024 to rave reviews. (Photo by Chanda Temple)

“It’s about keeping things fresh and giving people more to love,” Takeeka said. “You do better when you offer what you love, and I love these flavors.”

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Birmingham makeup artist Katasha Thomas-Peterson Lifts a Cancer Survivor’s Spirits with free makeover

By Chanda Temple

When the City of Birmingham’s StrongHer campaign hosted the Pink Parade in Linn Park in October 2024 for breast cancer survivors and supporters, StrongHer honoree and makeup artist Katasha Thomas-Peterson of KP Artistry 7 saw that as the perfect time to make someone’s day.

Katasha had applications in the park, asking breast cancer survivors and breast cancer patients to explain why they needed a makeover. After reviewing the applications, Katasha selected Arica Etheridge, who was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in June 2019. Arica, 56, completed her treatment in October 2020.

Arica’s journey resonated with Katasha, 43. Arica lost her mother in December 2018, and then she lost her father in January 2020. Katasha lost an aunt and a mother-in-law to cancer, so she could only imagine the hurt Arica experienced in mourning her parents while undergoing breast cancer treatments. 

Makeup artist Natasha Thomas-Peterson with breast cancer survivor Arica Etheridge. (Photo by Daniel Roth)
Makeup artist Natasha Thomas-Peterson with breast cancer survivor Arica Etheridge. (Photo by Daniel Roth)

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