Suga Moma’s Cupcakes & Thangs in Louisville may have the best cupcakes this side of heaven. And owner, Latoshia Hampton-Gladney, proudly stands by that statement. Along with her delicious sweets, she offers the community much more.
“We have many satisfied customers of cakes, cupcakes, and treats, but for us, it’s all about a deeper purpose, being positively involved with our community, especially by supporting area children and creating a safe gathering place for them,” said Hampton-Gladney, who opened the business in June 2022.
The name Suga Moma’s was derived from a cartoon, and Hampton-Gladney loves the attention it brings. Her homemade specialties, she believes, are her popular pecan pie brownies and assorted cheesecakes.
Along with homemade goodies, loaded teas, and a daily lunch available through her storefront, Hampton-Gladney offers baking and catering services. A space within her establishment is available for rental for game nights, paint parties, birthday parties, showers, and other special events and purposes.
Her initial vision for Suga Moma’s was for much more than a bakery, and she has achieved that already. She continues to engage area children in beneficial social and learning activities, and she assists needy individuals with other endeavors.
She and her husband, Aaron Gladney, own and operate Suga Moma’s. The pair enjoyed military careers in the U.S. Armed Forces. After retirement, they returned home, to Winston County where he works part-time for the Sheriff’s Department. Their son, Tony Johnson, is a U.S. Army veteran with two boys, Shiloh, 5, and Yamir, 2, and their daughter, Zekeya is a U.S. Military Academy graduate active with the U.S. Army.
Growing up, a love of baking was lovingly instilled in Hampton-Gladney by her grandmother. The military veteran utilized her culinary skills with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life when the couple lived in Memphis, Tenn. She is a grateful two-time cancer survivor and a blessed Hero of Hope.
“In Memphis, I was known as the cake lady for the Relay for Life,” she said. “I always had a delicious one ready for every event, and I invested my time as part of the executive leadership team.”
In Winston County, Hampton-Gladney is active with the PTO’s of several schools. Additionally, she’s an advisory board member for the Winston-Louisville Career and Technology Center and its culinary arts class.
Among the ways Hampton Gladney supports the community, includes two programs she started last year, the Suga Moma’s Youth Mentorship Program and the Suga Babies Cheer Camp. Both initiatives teach participants life skills.
The Suga Moma’s Youth Mentorship Program offers a positive environment for youth to learn how to express themselves, focus on personal responsibility, and gain self-esteem through academics and activities with monthly meetings and events. Thirty-six girls and boys participated last year, and enrollment is open for prospective participants, ages 4-15, who live in and around Winston County.
“The last Saturday of each month is devoted to the three-hour mentorship program, and I assist participants with strategies for personal responsibility and combating bullying and peer pressure,” said Hampton-Gladney.
As for Suga Babies, Hampton-Gladney explained, “It’s not your traditional cheer camp. We have cheered for Grace Christian School at halftime during home basketball games, and we hope to continue that spirit activity among other things.”
With the cheer camp, girls ages 4-14 learn about spirit and much more. Registration is open through Thursday, May 15 at the bakery. Suga Babies consists of five weeks of cheer camp and four weeks of a reading program throughout the summer. Last year, 32 girls from in and around Winston County participated.
“The payment for me with this business is not in profit, but in the lives we positively touch through our community involvement,” said Hampton-Gladney. “Kids connect with us and affectionately call me Suga Moma, which warms my heart because I have worked to create a safe, free space for them and adults to gather, talk, eat, and express themselves.”
The store, located at 16477 W. Main Street, can be reached at (662) 705-9700. Hours of operation are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and courtesy Wi-Fi is accessible. Suga Moma’s is available on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
