Event Recap: Black Excellence Brunch

Photo Credit: Kai Byrd

The Black Excellence Brunch held another installment of their iconic event on Sunday, March 26, 2023, with sponsors Athletic Greens and Savage Fenty.  The brunch was held at Casita Hollywood to celebrate the work of fashion stylist and entrepreneur, Zerina Akers. The Black Excellence Brunch is one of the most anticipated and exclusive brunches in Los Angeles that brings together an inspiring room of entertainment executives, creatives, and impactful professionals from all walks of life. The private brunch included a Savage Fenty gifting suite, amazing vibes, mimosas, thematic cocktails, delicious brunch food, and an electrifying fireside chat led by journalist/host Danielle Young with Zerina Akers.

Black Excellence Brunch

Attendees included Skai Jackson, Novi Brown, Nirine S. Brown, Melissa Fredricks, Kelly Jenrette, and other entertainment influencers and executives. The Black Excellence Brunch intentionally decided to close out March to celebrate the excellence of Black women by giving them their flowers during the brunch.  The event series is based on the family tradition of “Sunday Dinner”. It is an event series that brings together millennials of color from all industries and professions in an effort to build real community over what can be considered the favorite millennial pastime, “brunch.”

 “The Black Excellence Brunch exists because of a Black Woman, my mother who set the stage for me at an early age, introduced me to the joy and beauty of being black through her Sunday Dinner gatherings around our kitchen table in South Carolina, says Black Excellence founder, Trell Thomas.”

“When I wanted to take the brunch to the next level, It was black women who consistently looked out for me, guiding me, nurturing me, investing in me and showing up for me like they do for their communities and the world time and time again.”

As guests arrived at the Black Excellence Brunch they were greeted with signature cocktails and a delicious brunch.  Guests also enjoyed music, networking, meeting new friends, and reconnecting with old friends.  Entertainment host/journalist, Danielle Young emceed the Sunday afternoon brunch and led a fireside chat with Zerina Akers.  The inspiring conversation took guests on a journey through Zerina’s pivotal fashion career moments. Zerina is best known for her iconic fashion styling for superstar Beyonce. She’s also an innovative entrepreneur with her e-commerce marketplace, Black Owned Everything, and non-profit Akers & Akers Foundation which helps to educate and empower future entrepreneurs.

 “It was important to include Zerina Akers because I wanted to be intentional about celebrating not just the history of amazing black women during Women’s History month, but the here and now and the future of Black Women, says Black Excellence Brunch founder, Trell Thomas.”

“Zerina is making strides and creating history everyday through her authenticity and creativity. We were just so proud to include her and bring her into the Black Excellence Brunch family.”

Founded by Trell Thomas, the Black Excellence Brunch is an empowering event series established to connect young people of color from all walks of life. While being a South Carolina native, Thomas modeled the event after his childhood in the south to embody the tradition of Sunday Dinners.

Photo Credit: Kai Byrd

For more information about The Black Excellence Brunch, please visit here.

About Black Excellence Brunch

In August of 2018, communications professional Trell Thomas decided to create a community that celebrated the excellence of young black professionals. Trell, a seasoned entertainment/media expert, saw an opportunity to introduce entrepreneurs, clothing designers, stylists, actors, etc. to one another via a family-style brunch modeled after “Sunday Dinner”. The brunch features soul food, a discussion, and the opportunity for millennials to gain insight from seasoned professionals while fellow-shipping with other successful black and brown colleagues. @BlackExcellenceBrunch

About Trell Thomas

Trell Thomas is a media expert and activist. His work spans from career beginnings on the Obama Presidential Campaign in ‘08 to overseeing talent relations and communications within some of the biggest brands in Viacom. Trell has a great appreciation for sharing narratives of diverse communities and bringing stories of excellence to the forefront through various events he hosts. Trell’s mission is to empower people of color and spread positivity through black excellence. He is the founder of Black Excellence Brunch and has used this event series to connect young people of color from all walks of life.