Taraji P. Henson starring in ‘Give Me Some Sugah,’ film about South Shore baker reuniting with long-lost son
It was an unbelievable story that seemed like it was the plot of a movie — and now it is.
“Give Me Some Sugah,” a film about the story of a son looking for his long-lost biological mom (spoiler: he did), is set to premiere on Netflix Dec. 16.
The movie stars Taraji P. Henson as Lenore Lindsey, the owner of South Shore bakery Give Me Some Sugah. Though it was mostly filmed in Atlanta, a few scenes were shot in Chicago last December, including outside Mosque Maryam, 7351 S. Stony Island Ave., and on the 7200 block of South Exchange. Both scenes feature cameos of the film’s real-life inspirations — Lindsey herself and her son Vamarr Hunter. In one scene, Lindsey walks by as Henson peers into the window of a storefront while she looks for the location to open her bakery.
And there are just some Chicago things that can’t be recreated in an Atlanta studio, like the blaring horns of the Metra speeding past and the grayness of a cold December day.
The film, produced by Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin, also stars Jo-Vaughn Virginie Scott and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, among others.
Lindsey and Hunter became local celebrities when their story broke in fall 2024. Lindsey, she recalled, would cook and bake out of her South Shore bungalow to feed the kids who came by as part of the “church” her husband ran out of their home, while also leading Bible study and youth choir for folks in the community. In 2008, after retiring from her job as an accountant, she opened Give Me Some Sugah at 2234 E. 71st St.
The bakery became a community staple, with customers coming in search of her Key lime bars, cakes and especially the potato chip cookie.
One of those customers was Hunter. Little did the two know that they were mother and son, not just a business owner and a customer.
But they didn’t figure out their connection until Hunter, who learned at age 35 he was adopted, got in touch with a California-based genetic genealogist who was working with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. She helped him connect the dots and track Lindsey down, who gave him a call not long after.
As they spent more time together, the two worked side by side at the bakery, which he took over in 2024.
“He really is such a good soul. He has just no animosity [about being given up for adoption]. I’m sure he’s adding years to my life because I just got this sense of peace. It’s like your life came full circle,” Lindsey told the Sun-Times in 2024.
