I Wasn’t Sure Anyone Would Sign Up
The truth about launching our first event, the power of one yes, and the clean cake mission behind it all.
When most people hear “cake contest,” they picture sugar overload, fluorescent frosting, and a recipe pulled from a box.
Battle of the Cakes is not that.
This event isn’t just about cake.
It’s about kids.
It’s about what we’re feeding them — not just in schools, but in life.
Confidence. Belonging. Nutrition. Literacy. Joy.
EmpowerLit - Literacy & Beyond is nonprofit that brings an interactive author visit into schools that helps kids build:
Literacy (because reading is freedom)
Self-worth (because every child deserves to feel like they matter)
A sense of belonging (because they need to know they’re not alone)
EmpowerLit visit 50+ schools a year and inspire thousands of students to see themselves in the pages of a book.
Our author visit program is powerful — and it costs $60,000 a year to run.
That’s where Battle of the Cakes comes in. This is our big community event to help fund that program. And we wanted it to reflect our values all the way down to the ingredients.
Why Clean Cake?
Because if we’re trying to build up a child’s self-esteem and sense of worth, what we feed them matters.
Because food is information, not just fuel.
Because parents deserve to know their kids can enjoy something fun without a sugar crash or artificial garbage.
As the executive director of EmpowerLit — and someone who’s personally passionate about health — it was important that this event be clean eating. That means:
❌ No seed oils
❌ No artificial dyes
✅ Real ingredients, made with love
Was I nervous no one would sign up? Yes.
Clean eating isn’t for everyone. People assume it’s not fun or flavorful. But I believed in the vision.
And then… one person signed up instantly.
Meet Emilie of Clean Cakes CHS — Our First Vendor!
When I first read about Emilie’s business, I smiled.
She got it. She lives it. And she said yes right away.
Emilie is a former teacher, now a full-time mom of two, and the founder of Clean Cakes CHS. She started baking because she couldn’t believe what was in store-bought cakes — so she decided to make better ones. And not just better-for-you… better tasting.
“While perfect is never the goal,” Emilie says, “becoming an informed consumer has given me so much confidence as I fulfill my most important roles: wife and mother.”
Clean Cakes CHS was born to give Charleston families real options — cakes with clean ingredients and classic, timeless designs. The kind you feel good serving at a birthday party.
Phew.
Someone signed up. And not just anyone — someone excited about the mission.
The ball started rolling.
We’ve now got 69 people interested and 1 incredible vendor locked in…
19 more to go.
Putting on events for a nonprofit — especially a first annual — is a lot.
You make mistakes. You learn fast. You doubt yourself.
But then… you get that first yes.
And it reminds you why you started.
Because when one person believes in the vision, others follow.
That first yes?
It’s not just momentum — it’s fuel.
Come Taste the Change
Battle of the Cakes is more than an event. It’s a movement.
Toward better ingredients.
Toward kids who feel confident in who they are.
Toward a world where cake can still be delicious — and clean.
📅 Saturday, Sept 27, 2025
🕛 12–3PM at Valor Park, Market Common
🎟 FREE to attend • $2 per tasting • 20 cake vendors • Live music • Raffle prizes
All proceeds help fund our author visit program that brings literacy and belonging to kids who need it most.
Want to enter a cake? You don’t have to be a pro baker. Just bring your best clean cake and your heart.
👉 Sign up to be a vendor
👋 Hi there!
Welcome to EmpowerLit — a free publication helping parents raise confident, resilient kids.
All content here supports EmpowerLit- Literacy & Beyond, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit building children's literacy, self-worth, and belonging through author visits and community events.
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