Trell Thomas built a reputation on turning a meal into a movement, and he is bringing that energy back to Washington. The cultural organizer returns for the Congressional Black Caucus' 55th Annual Legislative Conference this week, extending his star-studded Black Excellence Brunch into a very different political climate.
This time, the setting has changed, and so has the mission.
What he is bringing
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 the annual culture festival in New Orleans. It is a pointed new addition to his brunch series.
The name is not subtle. It arrives as individuals, groups, and corporations grow cautious amid federal pressure on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Where it started
Thomas worked on the 2008 Obama presidential campaign before pursuing a public life. He founded the Black Excellence Brunch in 2017 as a way to honor the Sunday dinners of 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," he said. That idea has carried the series for nearly a decade.
The star-studded history
His brunches draw a crowd. A 2023 edition paid homage to the cast of the newer "The Color Purple," and a New Orleans event earlier this year honored Patti LaBelle.
His biggest event remains a 2024 South Lawn brunch during the Biden years, attended by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Rev. Al Sharpton, LeToya Luckett, and Iyanla Vanzant. The dress code is all-white, seating is random, and Thomas emcees, shouting out guests for their achievements.
A changed Washington
The backdrop is different now. That South Lawn brunch happened under a president who leaned into celebrating Black life publicly. This year's events unfold in a capital where DEI programs are being rolled back and corporations are moving carefully.
Thomas is meeting that shift head-on rather than shrinking from it. The Resistance Table is invite-only, with a cocktail-chic dress code, and it is built for candid conversation.
Building something lasting
Thomas frames the work as bigger than any single dinner. He partners with a streaming project that spotlights Black films and TV, his first corporate partnership, but he insists he is not interested in slapping a logo on something for a check.
"We're building something that I hope outlives me," he said, "a platform that continues to create rooms, open doors, and remind people that Black excellence isn't a trend. It's a legacy."
Why it matters now
In a moment when institutional support is retreating, gatherings like these do double duty. They celebrate, and they push back.
For Trell Thomas, that is the whole idea. He is betting that community, built one table at a time, outlasts any political season.
