CHICAGO, IL — A South Shore bakery owner’s unexpected reunion with the son she placed for adoption as a teenager is headed to Netflix this December. The film, titled Give Me Some Sugah, will premiere Dec. 16 and retell the Chicago story that drew attention in 2024 for its mix of heartbreak, healing and hope.

Lenore Lindsey, who owns Give Me Some Sugah at 2234 E. 71st St., did not know for years that a regular customer was her son, Vamarr Hunter. He had started visiting the bakery in 2010 for the sweets, and over time his trips became less frequent. Then genetic testing in winter 2022 revealed the connection that changed both of their lives.

How a neighborhood bakery became the center of a family reunion

Before the family learned the truth, Hunter was simply one of the people who loved Lindsey’s baking. The bakery became a familiar stop in the neighborhood, and the bond between the two grew without either of them understanding why. Lindsey later said their spirits seemed to connect, even before either knew the relationship between them.

That revelation turned an ordinary South Side business into something much larger. What had been a neighborhood bakery became a family enterprise, with Hunter eventually helping keep it going through a difficult period. The story resonated because it unfolded in a place built on routine and community, then revealed that something far more personal had been happening there all along.

Hunter helped keep Give Me Some Sugah open during Lindsey’s cancer treatment

Hunter’s role in the bakery deepened after Lindsey, now 69, underwent breast cancer treatment. During that time, he helped keep the business operating, a practical contribution that also reflected how naturally their lives had become intertwined. By 2024, he had taken over full-time.

The bakery is known for its potato chip cookie, a signature treat that helped make the shop a local favorite. Lindsey’s business survived a period that could have easily strained any small operation, and the family’s commitment gave the shop added meaning. For many who followed their story, the most moving part was not only the reunion, but the way it grew into daily support and shared responsibility.

Netflix plans a December release for Give Me Some Sugah

Netflix said the movie will be released Dec. 16. According to the company’s announcement, the film follows Lindsey’s “incredible discovery” and her effort to reclaim lost time, heal old wounds and find purpose in a life shaped by unexpected turns.

The project brings a local Chicago story to a much wider audience. Its title matches the bakery name and centers the relationship that formed between mother and son. The release places a deeply personal South Side experience into a national streaming lineup, giving viewers a chance to see how a private family revelation became a public story of resilience.

Taraji P. Henson and the cast brought the Chicago story to the screen

Taraji P. Henson stars as Lindsey, and she said what moved her most was Lindsey’s resilience and tenacity. Henson added that Lindsey kept choosing faith even when she did not know where it would lead, and that she found the courage to pursue a dream she had set aside for 30 years.

The film is directed by Tasha Smith and also features Joey Bada$$, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Russell Hornsby, among others. DeVon Franklin and Tyler Perry are among the producers. Franklin said the production team wanted to treat the project with care because, as he put it, this is a true Chicago story and not just a movie set in the city.

Filming in South Shore and Millennium Park helped ground the movie in Chicago

Although most of the movie was filmed in Atlanta because of production costs, the crew also shot scenes in Chicago. Franklin said they filmed in Millennium Park and in South Shore, including what he described as one of the film’s most pivotal scenes. He said the decision to shoot in Chicago was important for authenticity.

Tribune coverage of the production noted filming outside the Mosque Maryam in South Shore, where Lindsey and Hunter made a cameo. The crew later moved to another South Shore location and filmed scenes with Henson. During the shoot, Henson hugged Lindsey and told her, “The world is gonna see your story,” underscoring the emotional weight of bringing the reunion to screen.

Why the reunion continues to resonate with Chicago audiences

Lindsey said she was humbled by the attention, especially knowing that a small life from Chicago’s South Side had attracted such interest. Hunter has also said the story feels good simply because it makes other people feel good. He noted that if their experience can brighten even one person’s day, that is the best outcome he could hope for.

Franklin said he was drawn to the story because it brought him to tears and he believes it can do the same for audiences. He emphasized that, for the people involved, this is not just a movie plot but a real family history. That sense of care, along with the reunion itself, is what has kept the story meaningful well beyond the neighborhood bakery where it began.

Real, uplifting stories from across America – GCHS Eagle's Eye.