Black Excellence Brunch Honor’s Sanaa Lathan at Martha’s

Vineyard for her contributions to the TV and Film Industry Trell Thomas, founder of the Black Excellence Brunch, teamed up with beauty brand Camille Rose and its founder, Janell Stephens, to host an elegant and exclusive brunch on Friday, August 9th, during the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival.

This highly anticipated event, powered by Camille Rose, paid tribute to actor, director, and activist Sanaa Lathan, recognizing her significant achievements in both the film industry and the community. Held at a luxurious venue in Edgartown, the brunch embraced the spirit of the Black Excellence, bringing together nearly 200 guests, including influential figures such as Uzo Aduba, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, Will Packer, Jotaka Eddy, Former Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Kim Kimble, and Tina Mabry.

The sophisticated atmosphere was enhanced by eclectic décor with beautiful floral arrangements throughout, a flower station provided by Hulu, where guests could "give themselves flowers" by creating their own bouquet to take home and a menu featuring southern cuisine classics such as, chicken and waffles, applewood-smoked bacon, and watermelon and feta salad, accompanied by specialty Limonata cocktails, sponsored by Ciroc.

The Black Excellence Brunch, which has traveled the world with stops in places like South Africa and Ghana, has now made its way to Martha’s Vineyard! When asked about the desire to show up at the Vineyard, Thomas explained,

“Martha’s Vineyard is no stranger to excellent Black people and it was amazing to join in on the celebration of Black Excellence hosting our first ever Black Excellence Brunch on the vineyard. It was truly an honor to give flowers to so many amazing people and celebrate the cultural icon that is Sanaa Lathan”.

This gathering not only fosters connections within the community, but also honors the enduring legacy of Black excellence. The Black Excellence Brunch is more than just an event—it’s a movement dedicated to celebrating Black professionals who make significant impacts in their industries, yet often go under-recognized. This event was a testament to the ongoing commitment of the Black Excellence Brunch to honor the past while inspiring the future.