Two months before Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump, the White House grounds were dotted with attendees donning all-white attire during the Congressional Black Caucus' 53rd Annual Legislative Conference week.
Cultural influencer Trell Thomas brought his roving Black Excellence Brunch – a star-studded, family-style meal series – to the South Lawn during the last full year of Joe Biden's presidency in September 2024. Now, Thomas will return to a changed Washington for the 55th Annual Legislative Conference this week.
Thomas plans to partner with the Congressional Black Caucus' fundraising arm for The Resistance Table, an off-the-record dinner fresh off its July debut at Essence Festival in New Orleans.
The new component of the dinner comes as a shift
has taken place since Trump took office as individuals, groups and corporations proceed with caution amid federal pressure surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Trump hasn't prioritized race in the same way as Biden – who promised to pick a Black woman as VP on the 2020 campaign trail and also committed to nominating a Black woman for the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Spaces like this are important because they create room for more intimate conversations that help foster connection and community," Thomas said through a spokesperson.
The term "Black Excellence" itself is a widely used term that is also considered controversial. Michelle Obama discussed the "ceiling placed on Black excellence" in the notes of her "IMO" podcast last September. In 2021, author Janice Gassam Asare wrote a Forbes essay that said, in part, "Black exceptionalism is often used to justify Black humanity."
'Centered on what we have'
Thomas worked on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign and, like hundreds of other alumni, pursued a public life. Founded in 2017, Thomas created the family-style Black Excellence Brunch as a way to honor the Sunday dinners that took place during his South Carolina childhood.
"In a world that can often focus on what Black people lack, I wanted to create a space centered on what we have," Thomas said during an interview.
Thomas' brunches are often star-studded affairs. In 2023, one brunch paid homage to the cast of the newer "Color Purple," and an exclusive Essence Fest edition held earlier this year over the Fourth of July weekend honored actress Patti LaBelle.
Attendees traditionally adhere to an all-white dress code, seating is random with the exception of honorees, and Thomas emcees the invite-only events, shouting out guests for their achievements.
The South Lawn brunch is still Thomas' biggest fête in history. Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Rev. Al Sharpton, Destiny's Child alum LeToya Luckett and TV star Iyanla Vanzant all attended. Biden was introduced by ABC's "Black-ish" sitcom alum Marsai Martin before trumpeting his administration's accomplishments.
"Black excellence is American excellence and folks, we don't erase history like others are trying to – we make history," Biden told the crowd to applause, in a not-so-veiled jab at Trump.
Trell Thomas' Resistance Table set in Trump's DC
America this September looks different. The nation has changed. Harris, who couldn't attend Thomas' 2024 event due to apparent presidential campaign obligations, moved to Malibu with former Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff after her loss. Biden has remained largely out of public view while battling cancer in Delaware.
Trump now occupies the White House and turned his focus on hosting to a UFC fight for America's 250th anniversary on the South Lawn. Trump hosted the battle June 14, nearly a month before Thomas attended Essence Fest for The Resistance Table.
Thomas partners with Netflix's Strong Black Lead project, which highlights Black films and TV shows on its platform. The media company marked Thomas' first-ever corporate partnership, but he said that "I'm not interested in just putting a logo on something for the sake of a check."
Since Trump took office, corporations have rolled back DEI programs and initiatives and, in turn, faced widespread backlash.
A Target boycott last year led by Black women and supported by famous pastor Jamal Bryant, who later attempted to call off the protest, kickstarted a largescale censure after the Minneapolis-based retailer rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion. Amazon, AT&T, Walmart, Kohl's and Victoria's Secret are among other corporations to make changes to DEI policies.
The Resistance Table is set on the backdrop of the Congressional Black Caucus week. The CBC Foundation's five-day Annual Legislative Conference is held in Washington where thousands come to attend a Black policy summit, and shuffle at night between a flurry of private events. The Resistance Table is invite only, with a cocktail chic dress code.
"We're building something that I hope outlives me and a platform that continues to create rooms open doors and remind people that Black excellence isn't a trend ... it's a legacy," Thomas said.
And, for Thomas and other organizers, a form of pushback.
Contributing: Jessica Guynn
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trell Thomas brings his celebrations of Black life to DC for CBC week
