Last week President Joe Biden and his administration hosted their first-ever Black Excellence Brunch in affiliation with the Black Excellence Brunch Series on the South Lawn of the White House. Guests gathered in the ceremonial garden wearing all-white to celebrate the occasion.
Trell Thomas, founder and CEO of The Black Excellence Brunch series, created it in 2017 after moving to Los Angeles. Since its inception, the Black Excellence Brunch series has grown exponentially and hosted brunches in celebration of Black culture and fellowship across the country.
Notable politicians, celebrities, and D.C. professionals, such as Howard University alumnus Anthony Anderson, Sherri Shepherd, Rev. Al Sharpton, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, were in attendance at the Sept. 13 event.
Shortly after attendees were welcomed by the musical stylings of the St. Augustine Catholic Church Gospel Choir, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre delivered the opening remarks.
“We’re all here because we have a president and a vice president who have proven that they are committed to investing in the future of Black communities,” Jean-Pierre said. “This administration has done the work. President Biden [and] Vice President Harris didn’t talk the talk. They walked the walk.”
As the first Black openly queer press secretary, Jean-Pierre noted her historic accomplishments, as well as those of the Biden-Harris administration.
“It’s truly the honor of a lifetime for me, but what really inspires me as a mom who is raising a young Black girl is walking through the White House and seeing people who look like me, seeing people who look like us,” Jean-Pierre said.
As she closed out her remarks, Jean-Pierre continued to praise the president and vice president on their commitment to embracing diversity.
“I’m just really proud, truly proud to work for the most diverse administration in our nation’s history because we know when we fill spaces that once kept us out, we can make progress,” she said.
Following Jean-Pierre’s remarks, Thomas was called to the podium.
“Spaces like this are so important. Spaces that uplift us, that celebrate us, and that give us our well-deserved flowers. I’ve dedicated myself to building and preserving those spaces,” he said.
Thomas, holding back tears, addressed the crowd thanking his friends and family for their support and attributing his success to opportunities and events like this one.
“So I want to say a personal thank you to President Biden for seeing and investing in them [these spaces] and for seeing and investing in us,” he said.
Speakers at the event also included Shalanda Young, the director of the United States Office of Management and Budget, and actress Marsai Martin.
After opening remarks and preluding speeches, Biden approached the podium while the audience applauded and chanted the mantra, “Thank you, Joe.”
Biden opened his remarks by resonating with the core principle and belief Thomas founded the brunch series on, family.
“Our dad taught us that family is the beginning, the middle, and it’s the end. It’s everything,” Biden said.
The president also thanked Thomas for creating space for “fellowship and community” and acknowledged some of the other prestigious Black professionals involved in the event’s success, including the event’s executive chef, Kwame Onwuachi, owner of the D.C. restaurant Dogon .
Biden reflected on his administration’s accomplishments and emphasized his hopes for the future.
“I made a commitment my administration would look like America, and it does,” Biden said.
The president also reflected on the significance Black America has had on the growth and development of our country.
“This historic day today recognizes that this nation would not exist, and this is literal, without the blood, sweat, and tears, without the determination, dreams, and contributions of Black Americans. That’s a fact. This place wouldn’t exist,” Biden said, pointing behind him to The White House.
The president also acknowledged the members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), inviting them to stand and praising their work, particularly throughout the past week during the annual legislative conference hosted by the CBC in D.C.
As the president delivered his closing remarks, Biden adamantly reaffirmed his affinity for the Black community.
“Today, we honor the simple truth: Black history is American history, Black excellence is American excellence, and folks, we don’t erase history like others are trying to. We make history. I know it because I’ve seen it.”
The president ended his speech endorsing his vice president and current Democratic presidential nominee, Kamala Harris.
“I’ve been vice president to the first Black president in American history. [I’ve] been president to the first black vice president and, God willing, the first female Black president in American history.”
Following the speaking portion of the event, Grammy-awarded singer Monica performed.
Attendees moved throughout the south lawn and mingled with each other. Amongst the crowd was singer-songwriter Albert Joseph Brown III, professionally known as ‘Al B Sure!’, and his son, Quincy Brown.
“This event, Black excellence here at the White House, is absolutely amazing,” said Albert Brown. “[It’s] so good to see President Biden in good spirits, understanding that the culture built this country, and to be recognized in that fashion is something that’s fascinating, and it’s an encouraging thing.”
Albert Brown, also the co-founder of the Health Equity in Transplantation Coalition, has been actively working within Congress to shrink the gap in health equity and incorporate more inclusive practices within the healthcare field.
“We are going to continue to stand firm. We’re so focused, my co-founder of the Health Equity In Transplantation Coalition, Rachel Noerdlinger, and I have been working tirelessly in Congress to fight for health equity when they’re trying to get rid of DEI and abolish things that are required in the human race,” he said.
A passionate advocate for transplant surgery, he shared his personal connection to the subject.
“We are not going to stop, and continue to stand firm in the gap for health equity demanding inclusion and quality healthcare for the culture, and we are not stopping until it happens. Or until my liver transplant gives out,” he said.
Attendees lingered reluctant to exit the South Lawn, laughing and dancing whilst being ushered out the White House gates.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
