Any true blue pie lover knows that there's nothing in the world a warm, sweet slice of homemade pie can't fix. There's something about sitting down to a plate of pastry that makes you think, even if it's just for this moment, everything in the universe is exactly as it should be … The founders of the PieLab in Alabama's Black Belt have taken the concept of pie as therapy one step further.

The Black Belt is a part of Alabama with a deep history of slavery. Even today, they're ridden by poverty and deep social and economic ills. It's widely considered to be Alabama's (and America's) third world. The Pie Lab opened in the Black Belt just two years ago as an experiment. They hypothesized that the best way to revitalize the small, disheartened community of Black Belt was to unite them with pie.

When it first opened, Pie Lab was considered a pop up spot. Nobody thought it would last longer than a few weeks or months. Surprisingly, it worked and it lasted.

Pie Lab's philosophy is simple:

PieLab = a neutral place + a slice of pie.
A neutral place + a slice of pie = conversation.
Conversation = ideas + design.
Ideas + design = positive change.

Founded by Project M, a design cooperative that says, "We want to change the world." Project M brings together design students who want to turn their skills into meaningful change.

While it seems too simple that baking and serving pie has the power to entangle deep-rooted social issues, it's actually working. Pie Lab has become a safe space for community members to come together and exchange ideas. They partner with organizations like Youth Build, an organization dedicated to empowering youth in impoverished neighborhoods to get involved and change things for the better.

Support the Pie Lab by perusing their online shop, where you will find recycled tea cups, letterpressed tote bags, and tee shirts. Make a donation, or stop in for a slice of pie and conversation next time you find yourself in the heart of Alabama.