Buffalo State’s SEFA/United Way Campaign partners with Campus House to raise funds for United Way

This year, Buffalo State’s SEFA/United Way Campaign is partnering with Campus House to raise funds for United Way. 

Shetice Jackson, a proud Buffalo State alumna and owner of Cake Crazy Bakery, is offering her famous sweet potato pies for $25 each. Pies will be available for purchase at Campus House throughout the campaign, which begins September 29 during Buffalo State’s Homecoming and runs through December. All proceeds benefit United Way.

To order, visit Campus House, email campushouse@buffalostate.edu, or contact SEFA co-chair Maria Garrity (hejnamc@buffalostate.edu).

About Shetice Jackson

Born and raised in Buffalo, New York, Shetice Jackson discovered her passion for cooking at a young age. She attended Emerson Vocational High School, specializing in Culinary Arts, and graduated from the top of her class. Determined to refine her craft, she went on to study at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, completing an internship at Walt Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

After graduation, Jackson moved to Las Vegas, where she worked at Emeril Lagasse’s New Orleans Fish House inside the MGM Grand Hotel. Although she thrived in the fast-paced culinary scene, her heart remained in Buffalo, and she returned home to share her knowledge and experience with her community.

While working as a sous chef in downtown Buffalo, Jackson pursued further education, earning a bachelor of science in hospitality and tourism management from Buffalo State in 2005. Shortly after, she was appointed Chef Instructor at the Campus House Club, an upscale restaurant and training facility for Buffalo State hospitality students.

During her nine years at Campus House, Jackson began baking as a hobby. What started as a creative outlet quickly became a passion, as friends and family couldn’t get enough of her freshly made desserts. Inspired to take the next step, she launched Cake Crazy Bakery in 2014.

Cake Crazy Bakery is a Black-owned business with Southern flair. Located at 2525 William Street in Cheektowaga, it offers custom cakes, cookies, brownies, lemon bars, and sweet potato pies. The bakery is also famous for its lineup of more than 35 cupcake flavors, including favorites like strawberry crunch, German chocolate, banana pudding, and chunky monkey.

Western New York has embraced Cake Crazy with open arms, and Jackson is proud to continue serving her community with sweetness, creativity, and love.

About SEFA

New York State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) is a workplace charitable “giving program” for employees of New York State. It allows state employees to make voluntary contributions to a wide range of nonprofit organizations through payroll deductions or one-time donations. 

Donating during the SEFA campaign simplifies the donation process by consolidating options for employees to give back to causes they care about, such as education, health, the environment, or community services. SEFA is organized at the regional level to ensure donations benefit local communities.

SEFA works directly with United Way, which is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to improving lives and strengthening communities. It operates through local chapters and focuses on addressing critical issues like education, health, and financial stability. 

To learn more, visit the SEFA website.

Photo courtesy Shetice Jackson.