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Black Excellence Brunch

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President Joe Biden is introduced by Marsai Martin at a Black Excellence brunch at the White House in 2024)

Black Excellence Brunch is a series of convenings, held all across the United States and abroad, with a stated purpose of discussing achievements and concerns relevant to the Black community.[1]

The series was founded by Trell Thomas who was inspired by Black Sunday family gatherings. Since its founding, the meeting has been hosted in a number of venues, including the White House in 2024.[2]

Background

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Thomas grew up in South Carolina, where he would spend many Sundays going to church and afterward having dinners with his family members and the Black community around him: "My mom hosted at our home every Sunday, and it was one of the first places where I got to see and feel the joy of being a Black person."[3][4]

From then on, Thomas began a career in the entertainment industry, and starting in 2018, he sought to employ the cultural tradition in order to nurture similar spaces of "national impact" with community leaders.[5][6] The idea for the Black Excellence Brunch began when he had moved from New York City to Los Angeles and dined with his friends, while dressed in all white, at a rooftop restaurant in the former city: "I just remember looking around the table and seeing people like sit up a little bit taller, smile a little bit brighter, laugh a little bit louder and I thought to myself, if I could just give us this feeling all the time."[7]

History

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A nationwide phenomenon, Black Excellence Brunches have been in a litany of locations and communities, including Southern Methodist University, Clarksville, Tennessee, and others.[8][9] During the COVID-19 pandemic, Thomas hosted Black Excellence Brunches virtually. A Black Excellence Brunch has also been held in Ghana.[10]

Many Black Excellence Brunches are also held annually at festivals across the United States, including the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada; the American Black Film Festival in Miami, Florida; and the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]

2023

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In March 2023, a Black Excellence Brunch was held at The Gathering Spot in Los Angeles in anticipation of Shazam! Fury of the Gods in order to honor one of its stars, Meagan Good. Thomas partnered with Warner Brothers to host the event, and guests included Crystal Renee Hayslett, KJ Smith, Skyh Black, and others.[18]

In May, a Black Excellence Brunch was held in Atlanta, Georgia in celebration of Mother's Day.[10]

In August, a Black Excellence Brunch was held in Los Angeles; Kelly Rowland was among its honorees.[19]

On December 3, the Black Excellence Brunch hosted a screening of The Color Purple in the Linwood Dunn Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles; a brunch was hosted afterward at Serra On Vine, with a menu of Southern food by Chef Joe.[20] Many in the film's cast—Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia, among ohters—as well as its director, Blitz Bazawule, were in attendance, among other high-profile guests like Da Brat, Aba Arthur, and Kevin On Stage.[21]

2024

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In March 2024, the Black Excellence Brunch hosted a "To Be Celebrated" event in West Hollywood, California in celebration of the Academy Awards and Women's History Month. SZA, Kyla Pratt, and Niecy Nash were among the attendees.[22][23]

On September 13, during the Congressional Black Caucus' 53rd Annual Legislative Conference, the Joe Biden administration held a Black Excellence Brunch for the first time ever at the White House South Lawn.[24][25][26] Karine Jean-Pierre and Joe Biden both delivered remarks; the latter made an endorsement to the Kamala Harris 2024 presidential campaign, condemned the Springfield pet-eating hoax, and celebrated achievements made by his administration toward the Black community.[27][28] Other attendees included Thomas himself, Al Sharpton, Hakeem Jeffries, Raphael Warnock, Wes Moore, LeToya Luckett, Roland Martin, Marsai Martin, Iyanla Vanzant, Anthony Anderson, Tabitha Brown, and many others, as well as the St. Augustine Gospel Choir.[29][27][30][31] Monica performed after speeches.[5]

In November, the Black Excellence Brunch hosted a celebration of Black women, in Atlanta, in collaboration with Black Lives Matter.[32] Black Girls Rock! received a $50,000 contribution, and Thomas hosted a fireside chat with Monica. Other attendees included Beverly Bond, Cicley Gay, and Towanda Braxton.[33]

2025

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In February 2025, Thomas collaborated with Disney in order to host a Black Excellence Brunch at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, specifically to honor Black storytellers. Anika Noni Rose, Nate Moore, and Raamla Mohamed attended, among many others.[34] In the same month, a Black Excellence Brunch was held in Atlanta to celebrate the premiere of Beyond the Gates.[35]

References

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  1. ^ "Black Excellence Brunch held in Atlanta". PeachtreeTV. 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  2. ^ "Biden Hosting First-Of-Its-Kind Black Excellence Brunch At White House". BIN: Black Information Network. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  3. ^ "The Black Excellence Brunch Is A Movement For Global Black Empowerment". Travel Noire. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  4. ^ France, Lisa Respers (2024-03-07). "Trell Thomas created a brunch to celebrate black excellence and the stars can't get enough". CNN. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  5. ^ a b Britton, Jordyn (2024-09-16). "The White House Hosts Its First-Ever Black Excellence Brunch - The Hilltop". Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  6. ^ Tharpe, Stephanie. "From His Mom's House To The White House: Trell Thomas's National Activism Through Brunch". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  7. ^ France, Lisa Respers (2024-03-07). "Trell Thomas created a brunch to celebrate black excellence and the stars can't get enough". CNN. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  8. ^ "SMU Black Excellence Brunch Focuses On Relationships, Mentorship". SMU Athletics. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  9. ^ Centonze, Tony (2024-10-26). "Black Excellence Brunch Celebrates Black-Owned Businesses and Community Leaders". Clarksville Online - Clarksville News, Sports, Events and Information. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  10. ^ a b Harris, Ida (2023-05-21). "Trell Thomas Shines A Light On The Inspiration Behind The Black Excellence Brunch". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  11. ^ Clancy, Maggie (2025-07-06). "Jordan Chiles Embraces Dark Glamour in Glittering Platform Stilettos and Zimmermann Mini Dress at Black Excellence Brunch". WWD. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  12. ^ Dizon, Madz (2025-07-09). "Olympic Gymnast Jordan Chiles Shows Off Sophisticated Look in New Photos". Athlon Sports. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  13. ^ D, Jan (2024-06-19). "Top 3 Reasons Why the Black Excellence Brunch is a Hit!". The Knockturnal. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  14. ^ Canada, Danielle (2024-06-25). "Seen On The Scene: Melanin Magic Makers Attend The Black Excellence Brunch At ABFF, Affluence Ensues". Bossip. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  15. ^ "TIFF 2024 To Celebrate Black Leaders At Second Annual Black Excellence Brunch". Essence. 2024-09-07. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  16. ^ "Celebrating "The Rise of the Multi-Hyphenate" At TIFF's Second Annual Black Excellence Brunch". Essence. 2024-09-16. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  17. ^ Hill, Selena (2024-08-20). "A Celebration Of Black Film And Excellence On Martha's Vineyard". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  18. ^ Prude, Tyra. "The Black Excellence Brunch and Warner Brothers Honors Actress Meagan Good". EBONY. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  19. ^ Herndon, Ayana (2023-08-14). "Kelly Rowland Goes Bejeweled in Plunging Georges Hobeika Dress With Embellished Skirt for Black Excellence Brunch". WWD. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  20. ^ Times, The Black Wall Street (2023-12-26). "Black Excellence Brunch Celebrates The Color Purple". The Black Wall Street Times. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  21. ^ "'The Color Purple' Themed Black Excellence Brunch Served As A Super Soul Sunday For Attendees". Essence. 2023-12-04. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  22. ^ "Kyla Pratt, Tabitha Brown and Niecy Nash honor teams at Black Excellence Brunch". rollingout.com. 2024-03-06. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  23. ^ Inman, DeMicia (2024-03-04). "Black Excellence Brunch Presents "To Be Celebrated" Experience". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  24. ^ "Rep. Brent Attends White House Black Excellence Brunch". Ohio House of Representatives. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  25. ^ "Brunch With Biden: President Celebrates Black Excellence at the White House – Howard University News Service". Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  26. ^ Miranda, Shauneen (2024-09-13). "Biden celebrates Black achievements, decries racism against Haitian migrants • Tennessee Lookout". Tennessee Lookout. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  27. ^ a b Brown, Stacy M. (2024-09-16). "White House Hosts Historic Celebration of Black Excellence". The Washington Informer. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  28. ^ "Biden touts administration's racial equity record at Black Excellence Brunch - UPI.com". UPI. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  29. ^ Suggs, Donnell (2024-09-13). "'Representation Matters': White House hosts Celebration of Black Excellence Brunch on South Lawn". The Atlanta Voice. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  30. ^ McClay, Caché. "Black Excellence Brunch heads to White House in family-style celebration of Black culture". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  31. ^ Halley, Phenix S. (2024-09-14). "All the Best Dressed Guests at the White House 'Celebrating Black Excellence' Brunch". The Root. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  32. ^ Harris, Ida (2024-11-05). "Black Girls Rock! And Black Lives Matter Honored At Black Excellence Brunch". Black Enterprise. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  33. ^ World, Atlanta Daily (2024-11-06). "Black Excellence Brunch Celebrates Black Women's Achievements and Fosters Community Empowerment in Partnership with Black Lives Matter". Atlanta Daily World. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  34. ^ "Trell Thomas' Black Excellence Brunch honors creatives at The Walt Disney Studios". ABC7 Los Angeles. 2025-02-24. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  35. ^ Canada, Danielle (2025-02-24). "Black Excellence Brunch Celebrates Boldly Beautiful 'Beyond The Gates' Soap Opera Ahead Of Today's Premiere". Bossip. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
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