Bigger Than Brunch w/ Trell Thomas

Summary

Podcast Summary: Keep it Positive, Sweetie

Episode: "Bigger Than Brunch w/ Trell Thomas"

Host: Crystal Renee Hayslett
Guest: Trell Thomas (activist, mentor, media expert, creator of the Black Excellence Brunch)
Release Date: August 31, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, Crystal Renee Hayslett welcomes Trell Thomas—visionary founder of the Black Excellence Brunch. Together, they reflect on the journey of creating empowering spaces for Black joy, connection, and affirmation. Trell shares the roots of his movement, discusses the significance of community and purpose, and offers candid insights about entrepreneurship, faith, legacy, and self-care.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Origin of Black Excellence Brunch

• Family and Cultural Roots – Trell describes how Sunday dinners growing up in a Southern Baptist family seeded the idea:

  “It was honestly one of the first places... I got to feel, feel and see the joy of being a black person. And so I wanted to recreate that feeling for my friends.” (02:30)

• The First All-White Dinner (2017) – The first impactful gathering in NYC, which he describes as transformative:

  “Looking around the table, and I just saw everybody smiling and looking so confident and just feeling joy. And I thought... if I could give us this feeling all the time, I want to do that.” (02:59)

• Scaling Up – The event grew from 40-50 people to thousands, even reaching the White House. Trell reflects on not realizing how big the vision had become.

2. Purpose, Faith, and Taking Initiative

• Investing in Yourself First – Trell highlights the necessity of believing in your vision enough to put your own resources in first:

  “If you’re going to ask anybody to invest in you, like, are you investing in yourself? ... You can’t ask anybody for anything that you’re not willing to give yourself.” (08:34)

• Divine Guidance and Surrender
  • Trell shares how faith and surrendering outcomes to God have been central:

    “I also believe that you have to pray about it and then leave it. Because when we pray and then we worry, it's like me giving you something and then being like, oh, can I have that back?” (10:40)

• Manifestation and Alignment – The story of Netflix sponsoring a brunch came from faith, preparation, and serendipitous connections:

  “Putting it in motion, praying about it and leaving it, allow God to be God, and the things started to be orchestrated...” (12:00)

3. Community, Representation, and Safe Spaces

• Why It’s ‘Bigger Than Brunch’ – Trell emphasizes the space’s role in making people feel seen:

  “There’s no spaces where I feel like people feel seen. So when you ask about my favorite Black Excellence brunches, I have favorite moments... but it’s that you see people authentically and they feel seen too.” (14:00)

• Honoring Black Icons – Past honorees include Kelly Rowland, Tabitha Brown, Megan Good, Tina Knowles, and more. All are celebrated as VIPs with genuine recognition.
• Intergenerational Impact – Crystal shares how attending the White House brunch was a “monumental” experience, connecting ancestry, history, and future visions of Black excellence (27:23).

4. Mentorship, Legacy, and Authenticity

• Ms. Tina Knowles as Mentor – Trell recounts how a meaningful Ms. Tina Knowles interlude in Solange’s album “A Seat at the Table” became a spiritual anchor—and how that connection manifested into a real mentorship and creative partnership (16:01–20:22).

• Lessons from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

  • Use Your Toolbox: Every role, from the Obama campaign to NBC and Viacom, provided tools (networking, pitching, persistence) for Trell’s future.
  • Speak Up:

    “I had to get out of that...if it didn’t matter, I wouldn’t be in that place.” (26:00)

  • Advocating for Yourself: Don’t be afraid to be assertive about your value and ideas.

• Maintaining Integrity and Brand DNA

  • Trell refuses deals that conflict with the heart of his mission:

    “I've said no to six figure deals because it wasn’t the heart...you got to keep your integrity. You got to keep the integrity of your brand.” (35:43)

• The Power of Kindness and Gratitude

  • Small acts of kindness (even offering water to an assistant) have led to major opportunities.
  • “Some of my biggest breaks have come from someone a lot of people might have overlooked that I was kind to.” (32:33)

5. Navigating Scale, Stress, and Setbacks

• Behind the Scenes Chaos
  • Trell shares a story of a near-disastrous kitchen fiasco at the Austin, TX brunch (“We were down there buying hot plates...it was insane.”) (39:09)
  • The logistical hurdles of pulling off a White House brunch were monumental, but both hurdles were overcome through adaptation and community support (40:38).

6. Self-Care, Boundaries, and Replenishment

• The Ritual of Baths

  • Trell’s go-to self-care: “I take baths...I get the candles, I burn incense, I dim the lights...it's my recentering moment.” (42:51)

• Travel as Restoration

  • Trell names Ghana and London as his favorite places to rejuvenate.

• Boundaries and Energy

  • As a self-described Virgo and former people-pleaser, making and maintaining healthy boundaries is essential.

  “No, and letting that be it. Not no, because. Not no, but. Not no, maybe. Just no.” (46:20)

7. Philosophy, Music, and Affirmations

• Legacy and Purpose

  “I want the legacy...just to be that like people felt safe and seen and affirmed around me and in the Black Excellence Brunch.” (37:56)

• Signature Affirmation

  “Leave it better than you found it.” (47:19)

• Music Where Identity Meets Healing

  • “The Conquering Lion” by Lauryn Hill (from MTV Unplugged) is Trell’s go-to for peace and affirmation:

    “Anytime I need like rejuvenation...the reminder of who I am, anytime I need to feel spoken to.” (48:16)

  • Trell admires Lauryn’s authenticity:

    “She let her voice crack, she cried, she started songs over...it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it has to be real.” (49:12)

8. Lighthearted Brunch Game (This or That) [Brunch Edition]

• Bellini over mimosa
• Fish and grits over shrimp
• Grits absolutely with salt, not sugar—“Don’t you put no sugar in my grits.” (50:03)
• Scrambled eggs vs. fried
• Bacon, but now meat-free
• Pancakes preferred over waffles for the fluffiness
• Savory over sweet
• Live band playing vibes playlist—best of both worlds

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Purpose and Responsibility:

  “There's a point in your life...you’re doing something, and you’re like, this is not just a thing I’m doing. This is a part of my purpose, and this is my responsibility.” (04:16)

• Wisdom on Scaling and Integrity:

  “When God has given you a vision, God will give you provision...it doesn't matter if it's a million people doing the thing...but it ain't Fenty.” (34:15)

• On Preparation:

  “You have to prepare for what you’re praying for. So when that thing walks up, you don’t want to miss that opportunity because you’re not prepared. So while I'm praying, I'm preparing.” (24:00)

• Philosophy of Giving:

  “There's enough takers out there. Be a giver...When you give, you also get a lot.” (47:47)

• On Authenticity and Receiving:

  “You can only get what’s for you by being you. I can only get what’s for Trell by being Trell. I can’t get what’s for Trell trying to be Crystal.” (38:00)

• On Legacy:

  “I want people to feel a little safer, a little more affirmed, and a little more seen when they’re around me or in spaces I created.” (38:34)

• On Divine Timing and Opportunity:

  “Somebody was watching at the White House while I was dreaming it.” (30:53)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:45 – Trell describes the inception of the Black Excellence Brunch
• 05:09 – Recognizing and responding to his calling
• 08:01 – Personal investing and how it led to partnerships
• 10:40 – Faith, prayer, and Netflix sponsorship story
• 12:55 – Most memorable brunches and favorite guests
• 16:01 – Origins of Ms. Tina Knowles mentorship
• 20:55 – Corporate to entrepreneurship journey
• 24:00 – Bringing corporate skills to entrepreneurship; self-advocacy
• 27:21 – Reflections on the White House brunch and its impact
• 34:15 – Brand differentiation, vision, and integrity
• 37:35 – Defining legacy and impact for the Black Excellence Brunch
• 39:09 – Behind-the-scenes stories of logistical challenges
• 42:51 – Trell’s self-care and grounding practices
• 47:07 – Affirmation: “Leave it better than you found it.”
• 48:16 – Music as a source of healing: Lauryn Hill’s “The Conquering Lion”
• 49:50 – Lighthearted “This or That” brunch game

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The Conversation’s Tone

• Warm, candid, affirming, and spiritual, filled with laughter, gentle honesty, and vulnerability.
• Both Crystal and Trell keep a spirit of encouragement, mutual admiration, and focus on real self-growth and cultural celebration.

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For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode offers rich stories behind one of today’s most celebrated cultural movements and delivers concrete wisdom on showing up with purpose, building authentic community, and navigating both successes and setbacks. You’ll leave inspired—knowing the heart behind Black Excellence Brunch, and with practical lessons on faith, responsibility, and the power of daring to invest in yourself.

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Memorable Closing

Trell ends with gratitude and an impromptu heartfelt prayer for Crystal, wishing her open doors and divine stewardship—a perfect embodiment of the show’s spirit of purpose, faith, and uplifting connection.

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Recommended for:
Anyone seeking inspiration, entrepreneurs, community builders, and those who want to hear how faith, preparation, and authenticity can turn a living room dinner into a global movement—and help everyone involved feel truly seen.

Transcript

[A]

Calling all my sweeties to the forefront, I'm your host, Chris Renee Hazlett, and this is the Keep It Positive Sweetie Show. Our next guest has made an impact on how we show up and celebrate ourselves. He's an activist, a mentor, media expert, and he is the creator of the Black Excellence Brunch, a global celebration of the culture created to build community amongst black people from all backgrounds, professions and walks of life. Sweeties, please welcome Trell Thomas. Trell, what's up? I'm good. How are you?

[B]

I'm so good. I'm so happy to be here, man.

[A]

I'm happy to have you here. Seriously, you've been everywhere. It's been a crazy week, man. You're fresh off of a flight. You look good.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

I'm loving the fit. Thank you. So I wanted to have you on because you have so many amazing things going on, and a lot of people know you from your Black Excellence brunches. Now, your Black Excellence brunches started in 2017 when you just had friends over for dinner and said, hey, we're all white. What was it about that moment, take us back to your dinner party, 2017, that sparked something in you to say, hey, I need to do this more often.

[B]

Well, I have to be completely honest. So 2017 is when it started to look like people see it now. But Black Excellence Brunch is really based off the concept and tradition that I know that we're all familiar with of some Sunday dinner.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And if you're not familiar, all of the sweeties out there. Right. Like it is when you. You go to church, and then after church, you sit down with your family around one or two o'.

[A]

Clock.

[B]

I grew up Southern Baptist, so sometimes it was three or four for me. But you. You. You really shared this meal with your family and friends and loved ones. And my mom will host them at home, growing up every Sunday. And it was honestly one of the first places, Crystal, where I got to feel, feel and see the joy of being a black person. And so I wanted to recreate that feeling for my friends. So, yeah, I started doing it in my home. And then in 2017, that one that you. You're speaking about, I got all my friends together. It was my going away. I'll never forget. I was moving from New York City to la and. And I just brought everybody together, and I was like, well, you know, I can kind of tell them what to do a little bit more today. So I was like, can you guys wear all white? Can you meet me here? And Everybody came. Everybody wore all white. And when I tell you, it was something so special about it, because we couldn't get two feet without people being like, who are you guys? What do you do? Can I take a picture with you? People were sending us drinks. We were at the rooftop of this restaurant. And I just looked around the table. I remember the exact moment looking around the table, and I just saw everybody smiling and looking so confident and just feeling joy. And I just thought to myself, if I could give us this feeling all the time, I want to do that. I want us to. Because this is how we should be able to walk through life joyously, right? And yeah. And it was in that moment, I remember doing a toast and I was like, this is to all of my black and excellent friends. This is a Black Excellence brunch. And then something clicked.

[A]

Ah. Wow.

[B]

And it was in that moment I was like, I gotta do more of this and I gotta gather us more and. But. But most importantly, I gotta put a smile on our faces like that.

[A]

Oh, my God.

[B]

Oh, thank you.

[A]

Yeah. No, just like you, I grew up in the South. Sundays were definitely our day where the family got together. Everybody, cousins, aunts, we all came to one home. And like you said, we just came together and we were already looking good. Cause we were in our Sundays.

[B]

Right? Exactly.

[A]

And then we had an amazing dinner and just fellowship. And that's beautiful. That. That's what sparked that. So you just toasted and then you said Black Excellence Brunch. And that's when you're like, wait, that's it?

[B]

It just clicked. It just clicked. And I was like, okay, I gotta do more of this. And so I. It was kind of rinse and repeat. After that, I moved to la. When I came to la, I did another one, same reaction. And you know, like, in LA and in New York, it's hard to impress people.

[A]

It sure is.

[B]

Everybody is impressive, right? But I just saw how people were receiving us. But most importantly, Crystal, I. I realized one, that it was bigger than me. A mentor told me, like, if you're doing anything and it starts and stops at you, then it's not big enough.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

And so in those moments, I realized, oh, this is bigger than me. But I also realized that it was something so divine about the space. It just. Like I tell people, even now you can see all the videos and the pictures, but until you been in the space, you don't really know, but the energy of it is so beautiful. And I. And I think you probably can attest to this. There's a point in your life where you. Where something. You're doing something, and you're like, this is not just a thing that I'm doing. This is a part of my purpose, and this is my responsibility. And I started to feel responsible. Responsible for bringing joy to us, responsible for shifting the narrative, responsible for creating safe space basis. And so it was like, all right, this isn't just a thing that I'm doing. Like, this is what I've been called to do.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And when you hear your call in, you got to, like, walk in it.

[A]

Right.

[B]

You know?

[A]

So back then, when you first started, how many people were attending these brunches? Because I've seen what it is now.

[B]

Yeah. So I would say at the very beginning, it was like, 40, 50 people. Yeah, like between 40 and 50 people.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And yeah, now we. We've done as many as 3,000 people, which I'm still, like, pinching myself about, you know.

[A]

Did you. Like, this has been something that's been cultural, culturally impactful. Did you ever dream that, like, when you started in 2017, that it would be this big and that you'd be at the White House? You would be at every film festival. Like, did you dream that it would ever be this big?

[B]

You know? No. And I didn't know. I just wanted to do. And even in the. Even now, there are times where people would be like, do you realize, like, even when you mentioned that just now, I'm like, wait a minute. I guess that's. That's true. Like, because I'm just doing. And I'm just going. I remember having this moment, and I'll share with you. I was. You know, this was maybe 20, 22, and. And I've been doing the brunches for a while. I figured out I was no longer having to spend my own money to do it, so. But I walked. We had one at SOFI Stadium.

[A]

Wait, what?

[B]

Yeah. And I.

[A]

And it was brand new.

[B]

We had one at SOFI Stadium. I walked in, I see Black excellence brunch on the jumbotron, and I'm like. And even though we had done, like, all these partnerships and we had traveled by then, we had done Africa and everything. I was like, oh, man.

[A]

Yeah. I guess this.

[B]

This is something that I'm doing, because when you are on the path and you. And I'm at this point, I'm helping people set up. Like, I've never been the type of be like, okay, go do it. You know, I'm on in and on the ground with people. And so I Didn't realize it and got that big until I looked up. Somebody was like, trail, like, look. And I looked, and it was on the jumbotron. So I feel like that's what keeps me, like, going. Just not even paying attention to, like, these marquee moments. But it's also important, I guess, to stop and be like, wait a minute, like, this is happening. So thank you for that reminder.

[A]

No, it is. I always remind my friends, especially when things are just going so fast and everything's on a high, take those moments to really soak it in, because it goes by just like that. And before you know it, you're just on to the next. On to the next. And then you don't take a chance to look back and say, whoa, I've accomplished all these amazing things, you know, so take time to sit in gratitude. I love that you're finding time to do that. Now you mentioned it got to a point where you weren't coming out of your own pocket to make these things happen. So in the beginning, you were footing the bill for most of these things.

[B]

Oh, yeah. And I tell people all the time, like, one of the biggest questions that I get is, like, how do you get all these brand partnerships? At this point, we've partnered with over 100 brands and people. I want to know these brand partnerships. And I tell people it's simpler than a lot of people realize. First of all, if you're going to ask anybody to invest in you, like, are you investing in yourself? I feel like you can't ask anybody for anything that you're not willing to give yourself. And that's in business, that's in relationships, that's in friendships. Like, I can't ask you to be honest if I'm not being honest, right? So before I go to a brand and be like, hey, can you give me $60,000, $70,000, $100,000 to do something. Something. Like, I need to know, like, what it. What it feels like to put that into. To invest that into something. So when I did the first Black Excellence brunch, when I was like, oh, I'm gonna do it nice, and I'm gonna, you know, put some decor on. And I'm. I literally paid for that with my own money. And it gave me such an appreciation for, like, the space, and it. It also let me know, like, Charl, you don't gotta depend on anybody to do anything. That's good because you. We're never waiting on it. It's always waiting on us. So I think that was waiting on me. It was waiting on me to make the decision that, you know what, you can do it. It was waiting on me to invest in myself. It was waiting on me to, like, move forward and answer the calling that I was just talking to you about. So I feel like that's the important first step. Like, know what it takes to invest into your thing, into your dream, and be willing to make that investment. And the next thing, you know, the very next brunch after I make. Made that investment, I got $50,000 from Netflix to do the next one.

[A]

That's.

[B]

And I firmly believe it is because I was. You know, I was. I had got out of the mode of, like, oh, oh, I'm waiting on somebody else to save me. You know, I'm like, I'm gonna do it regardless. You pull up to the table. That's nice, but it's still gonna be here.

[A]

Listen, you are speaking to me right now. You really are, because there's things that I still wanna do, and you just hit the nail on the head. It's waiting for me to step up to it and do it. I love that. Oh, my goodness. So when did you get. So did you even ask Netflix or Netflix approached you for that?

[B]

No. And I know we are people of faith, so you'll get this, too.

[A]

So.

[B]

Okay. I also believe that you have to pray about it and then leave it. Because when we pray and then we worry, it's like me giving you something and then be like, oh, can I have that back? So, like, I'm not going to give God the thing and then be like, oh, let me borrow it so I can worry about it for a little while longer. You know what I mean? So it's like, here you go. Like, this is the thing. And then I got to move on from. From it. And I think when I had invested in myself on that first one, you know, I was like, all right, God. Like, I did this. I'm out of money, you know, Here you go. I wanted to be nice, and. And then I left it alone. And I literally. I lied to you. Not three days later, I went to dinner with a friend of mine, Angelique. And then Jasmine, shout out to y' all if you're out there watching this, that. Thank you so much. So Jasmine Lawson was at the dinner, and she was working at Netflix at the time. And I was just telling her about, like, you know, these gatherings that I do. I was just telling her. I didn't even know, like, what her position was. We were just out to dinner as friends. And I was telling her about it, and little did I know, she was taking mental notes and went to her direct supervisor at Netflix and told them with just as much excitement as I had, they agreed to take a call with me, and that was it. So that's how it happened. So I think that putting it in motion, praying about it and leaving it, like, allow God to be God, and the things started to be orchestrated because it wasn't like a dinner that we had planned for weeks. We popped up and did that, and Jasmine wasn't even supposed to come. She showed up, and I think that's how God works.

[A]

It is. There's alignment. Yeah. Wow. And you still have this relationship with Netflix.

[B]

I just did a brunch with Netflix a few days ago.

[A]

Days ago. Right. Not that I missed.

[B]

I know.

[A]

I'm gonna let you know every.

[B]

Every time there's a big schedule. Anybody, whoever's got it, then I need yours.

[A]

I need every. The brunch scheduled so I can see I'm gonna be in this city. I'm covered. Yes.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

No, but that's amazing. And that says a lot about you and the brand that you've built, that you're able to sustain relationships with a brand as big as Netflix. You know, with all the brunches that you've had. What has been one of your most memorable brunches.

[B]

Wow. You know. You know what I always remember? I always remember the conversations. And so I think, like, people that come to mind, like Tabitha Brown, love her. It's just everybody what happens at the brunch, and it's part of it being this divine space, is people come and they show up so authentically. It's no pomp and circumstance. It's no, like, I'm here and you're there. I tell people everybody is a vip, but when I have these conversations, because I honor, like, cultural icons. And we've honored Kelly Rowland and Tabitha Brown and Megan Gulson Bose with St. John and Megan Good and Ms. Tina Knowles. And, you know, we've honored so many incredible people, and people always show up with their heart.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

You know, I'm thinking about even the last brunch that I just did with Netflix and sitting with Victoria Mahoney, who's the director of the Old Guard 2, and Kiki Layne, who stars in it as a black woman super superhero.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I mean, we just need to take.

[A]

A minute to give it to her. She's so beautiful, first of all. Just stunning, I'm telling you.

[B]

And just also beautiful inside and out. She is and she came and she sat with us and she poured her heart and she cried with us. And it's just. There's no other spaces where I feel like people feel seen. And so when you ask about my favorite Black Excellence brunches, I have favorite moments within them, but it's hard to choose one. But I think that the thing that I love most is that you see people authentically and they feel seen too.

[A]

Yes. No, for sure. I've been to two Black Excellence brunches and I felt seen both times. Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

That means so much to me.

[A]

Yeah. No, seriously, it's such a. It feels like a feeling. Family reunion.

[B]

Yes. Yes. Yes. That's it. That's it. That's the. That's what I try to create, no matter how big it it is. Because you've been to, like, a smaller one and you've been to, like, the biggest one, right?

[A]

Yes. And we're gonna get to that. That was.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yes. Now, if you had anyone on your wish list that you want to have a 10 year black excellence brunch, who would it be?

[B]

Oh, let me just pull out my. No. Denzel Washington.

[A]

Oh, yes.

[B]

Viola Davis. Gosh, there's so many iconic people that I think. Lisa, Leslie.

[A]

Oh, we can make that happen. Yeah, No, I know Leslie.

[B]

Don Staley. Gosh, she's amazing. There's so many incredible people who. Tyler Perry, like, so many incredible people.

[A]

Who I think I'm help you out, bro.

[B]

Listen.

[A]

All right, now I can put a bug out.

[B]

Yeah. There's so many incredible people that I feel like, deserve their flowers and I want to share this space with. Yeah. Beyonce.

[A]

Come on, come on. Speaking of Beyonce, her mom, Ms. Tina Knowles, is a mentor of yours.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

How did that. How do you get Mama Tina to be your mentor?

[B]

You know, again, another format, space, manifestation. So I was living in New York and Solange's album A Seat at the Table came out, which is a timeless classic. And I'm going to say it right now, the time hasn't passed yet, but we're going to be listening to that album 50 years from now. Like we listen to the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Right.

[A]

When I say Ashana at dinner, that is like when if we had we were stranded on the island and we only had one album, what would it be? And that's the one I said, man.

[B]

That album, like, I. I probably listened to it, like, over and over and over. I can't even count the amount of times. But there is a interlude on the album and I love that she did interlude because, like, that was a lost art and she brought it back in such an amazing way. And Ms. Tina was on one of the interludes and she was. And it was during a time, it was a dark time for me, I would say, where I was just feeling. I was in the corporate world before I became a full time entrepreneur and I was feeling so down and, and just taking advantage of. I remember bringing so many creative ideas and I remember them being shot down and people being like, oh, they're not. No, that's not a good idea. That's not a good idea. But then I would see them secretly try to do it, but they wanted me to think it wasn't good, but they, and then they wanted to give the credit to somebody else. And of course it was somebody who didn't look like me.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

So I was very down and I was just like, what is it? Like, why? And I remember listening to the interlude where Ms. Tina was just talking about the joy of being a black person, the pride and that, you know, and it, it reinvigorated me. And I. Every time I would leave work and I would feel away, I would turn to that interlude and I would listen to it. And I remember. And this is where the manifestation comes in. I remember sitting and I was like, I wish I could just talk to her. Like I want to just talk to her. And I put it out there and I didn't think of nothing else about it. And I, I have to say that in that moment, I feel like God started putting things in motion. So things got really bad at work. And, and, and, and at first I was like, well, what's happening? Like, yeah, but if you know anything about the way God works, if God is telling you to do something and you're not heeding to what God is, things will get real uncomfortable.

[A]

Shake it up.

[B]

Yes, it'll get real uncomfortable. And they got really uncomfortable. And so I was working, I remember I was working on this. Ah, I get chills thinking about. I was working on this event to. The hope was to honor Beyonce. And, and she was pregnant at the time and so she couldn't, you know, be there for it. And I ended up moving to la. I met someone, Andrea Nelson Meggs, who is an incredible agent. And she was sitting with me and she was like, hi, you know, I'm working with Waco Theater Center. And she was like this. They think that they're looking for a social media person, but I think that they're looking for you specifically. And she set Up a meeting with me and Mr. Lawson. And Ms. Tina just happened to be there at the time. She walked by and she looked, and she came back, and she was like, who is this? And so she walked into the meeting, and we were supposed to meet for, like, 30 minutes. We sat there and talked for, like, three hours.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And the first thing that I worked on her. Worked with her on was a gala honoring Beyonce.

[A]

The wearable art.

[B]

Yes. And so God had fulfilled the thing behind that, too. Yeah. Like, I got to help bring that to life. But Ms. Tina is an incredible visionary. So smart, creative, like, deserves. I'm so glad that she's getting her flowers now with the matriarch. But, yeah. So when God made that promise to me, after I, like, said those things to listen to those albums, that album, it just started to come true. So that's how we met. And we just been so close ever since. And I think it's because Ms. Tina is one of those people that she sees your heart and she wants to help. You know what I mean? And she's also. She also taught me just a lot about, you know, you can't wait on somebody else to do something for you or to give you an opportunity. Like, you have to make space and take up space.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And I started doing that, and. And, man, look at you.

[A]

You're occupying all streets right now. You are killing it.

[B]

Oh, thank you.

[A]

Yeah. So you talked about going from corporate to being an entrepreneur. Same thing. And I think we have something in common. Well, you worked for the Obama campaign, and I got recruited, but I didn't take the job. Yeah. I worked on the Hill before I moved to Atlanta to pur. Acting in music. But you worked from NBC, Viacom, and then you worked on the Obama campaign. Tell me what that transition was like going in that jump where you said, all right, I'm not going to do this anymore. I'm going to go work for myself and make my dreams come true.

[B]

So that was. Things got really uncomfortable, like I was telling you earlier, and I knew, like, so I feel like at every place. So from the Obama campaign to NBC to Viacom, every place that I was. I was a mentor. Taught me about this, too. Like, I was putting things in my toolbox.

[A]

Y.

[B]

So you always collecting things, and sometimes you have the tools that you need, but. And it's time for you to move on to the next thing. But you're so comfortable or you're so.

[A]

You.

[B]

You know, you like the friends that you have or whatever the reason is, and you stay too Long. And people do this again. And at jobs, they do it in relationships, they do it in friendship, they do it sometimes with family members.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

You know, and I think that when God tells you to get up and move, you gotta get up and move. And so when I actually would be in LA a lot, right. I would be in LA a lot for work. And one day, Crystal, I lied to you. Not. I was walking down the street, you know, palm tree lined street. And I had always been anti LA and so pro New York, and I was living in New York, so I was like, I'm here.

[A]

You know what I'm saying?

[B]

But when I was walking down the street, I heard God say so clearly home. I just kept hearing it. And I walked by this building that was named the. Soon as I heard that, I walked by this building and the name of the building was the name of my hometown. And they were building and I was like, oh, this is such a nice building. And I ended up moving and staying in that building. And so I feel like too, when you're on this journey, like, God will speak to us and it'll be faint and the more you lean in and listen to it, the louder and the clearer it becomes. And I think at that point in my life, I gotten to a point where the voice was clear. And so when God was telling me to do something, all right, I'm like, okay, let's go, let's go. We doing it. So I started, I got back to New York, I started looking up apartments, I started like calling people. And the next time I went to la, I just didn't take that flight back.

[A]

Oh, my goodness. So you talked about building your toolbox. What are some of the tools that you took from working in corporate America to being an entrepreneur? And what impact did it have on you?

[B]

Yeah, of course. So, you know, one of the things that I took was like. And this word gets thrown around a lot, like humility and being humble. Yeah, I learned that, like, I don't want to be humble. You know what I mean? Like, and in corporate America, you can't be like humble and, you know, so you have to like, ask for what you want. You have to say the thing. Now, the part of humility that I like is that you can be kind and considerate and show grace, but if people don't know, like, what you're capable of and what you can do and like, what tools that you have and you'll get looked over over and over. Yeah, it's the truth. And so, like, I have this like love, hate relationship with the word humble. And I, in corporate America, I learned, like, put humble, you know, underneath some stuff, you know, that's real. And I'm. Yeah, I can be kind. I can be considerate. I can be all the things. And speaking of kind, like, I also learned that you can be kind, but you don't always have to be nice.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Because nice will have you being taken advantage of. It'll have people low balling you. It'll have people treating you like you're less than. So I am kind, but I'm not always nice, you know? So I think that's another thing I learned how to pitch my brand. So when you are. I did so many dicks. And if you're not familiar with what a deck is, a deck is when you kind of take the thing, say you're doing an event. You kind of take the event and you put it in, like, a digestible, like, packet for people to be able to see, like, what it is that you do, how they can get involved, why they should get involved. And so I learned how to do that really well. And that's what helped me transition from that one that I paid for to the one that got paid for. Right. I knew from working in corporate America, okay, I need to take photos. I need to have, like, notes. I need to invite certain people, and I need to package this all up and then have it prepared, because you have to prepare for what you're praying for. So you can pray for something all the time, but are you preparing for it? So when that thing walks up, it's like, all right, you don't want to miss that opportunity because you're not prepared. So while I'm praying, I'm preparing. And that was another thing that I learned in corporate America. And I also learned because. And people do this all the time. They'll send one email, and then they don't get a response from that email, and they're like, oh, they don't want to do it. But you are the one that needs something.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So you can't send a one email and just forget it. You have to be persistent. You have to follow up. You have to find the best contact. You have to do all of your research, and you have. Sometimes you have to call after you sent the email. Sometimes you have to get a number and text. So I learned persistence, and I think. But most of all, I learned to advocate for myself, you know, which I used to be so scared to do.

[A]

Really?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Like, I was a person who would this this story comes to mind. I'm gonna go ahead and tell. So I'm in a fraternity, Kappa Psi Fraternity incorporated. Shout out to all the newts out there. I'm in a fraternity. And we. I was the president of mphc, which is all the divine honor, all the. And I was simultaneously the vice president of my chapter. And I remember I would sit in meetings, and I. Like, I've always been a creative, so I would have all these ideas, and one of my profiles, one of the older. The ones that older than me, they would watch me in these meetings, and they were like, you always. One day, like, he got in my face. He was like, you always. I know you got something to say. You never want to say what you. What you have to say. Like, I can see it on your face. You know, you need to speak up for yourself. And, you know, I was like, oh. And that was basically. He was telling me, like, what you think matters and it matters in this room. And so I had to get out of that. Like, it doesn't matter if I'm the youngest or if I'm the only person of color or if I'm the only guy or whatever it is in a room. Like, my voice matters. And if it didn't matter, I wouldn't be in that place.

[A]

So true. Absolutely. That's so good. So you went from working on the Obama campaign, and you went from a rooftop of a New York restaurant to the White House. Man, I was at this one.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Trail. It was. It was monumental. It was historic. It was. I think, for every person that had the honor of attending this event, it was something that made us believe and dream bigger. You know, we sat on the lawn and looked at a building that our ancestors built, died for. We sat on the line of a. Of a house that a lot of us haven't even been able to go to or even invited or welcomed, you know, so to be welcomed in that way and for it to be a young black man that made that happen for us was. I got.

[B]

I'm, like, trying.

[A]

I'm finding the tears. Oh, my gosh. It was amazing. What was that moment like for you? You had your family there every. Everywhere I turned, and then people were texting, like, wait, I saw you. Where'd you go? Like, we were all trying to catch up with each other. It literally felt like a big family reunion. The food was amazing. What was that moment like for you? Because I know what it felt like for us.

[B]

You know, honestly, I was talking to somebody about this just. Just yesterday. It was an out of body experience. I felt like I was like hovering above myself, watching myself the entire. It wasn't until I stepped off the stage and I don't know if you saw me. And I like broke. I had like a breakdown from that was when I came back into my body, I felt like. But the whole time I just felt like I was watching myself. And I think because I. I felt the weight of that responsibility.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I wanted to do it right and I wanted to. For us to feel seen.

[A]

Oh, we felt it feel like that love.

[B]

And so, you know, I'm. I'm just so grateful that it happened.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm so grateful that, you know, people like you just shared have that experience and you know, you're speaking about the things that I want. I wanted to give us opportunity to make space for us to take up space. And like, also not for nothing, to your point, we. That place wouldn't be there if it weren't for us. Our literal blood, sweat and tears. And so it is only right that we get to be celebrated in that kind of way in that space, you know?

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

And so that was my thought process and it was just. And I think a lesson or a thing that I learned and all of that is like, somebody's always watching you. Yeah, somebody's always watching you. And that thing. People don't know that, but that was like three years in the making. And it came to me in a dream. Like, I literally. I was walking past, through like where the rose garden is. I was walking through there and I had like deja vu because I dreamed walking the exact, exact same steps. I saw myself. I looked at the reflection of myself, all those things, and it was happening again. And so that's how I know it was divine. But for me, it was like I wanted to create a space for us to feel seen on a massive scale. And it, it, it taught me the lesson of like, always be preparing.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

For. Because somebody someplace is watching what you're doing.

[A]

And.

[B]

And that's what happened. Somebody at the White House was watching at the same time I was dreaming.

[A]

I was gonna ask. Ooh, I was gonna ask you that. That's powerful. Somebody was watching at the White House while I was dreaming it. Yep. My goodness. So good, so good. So how did that happen? The person that was watching reached out.

[B]

So. Yeah, you know, I'm persistent. Anybody that knows me would tell you, Trell is the follow up king. I'm a follow up and then follow up and then follow up. On top of the love, it I'm for real. And I will be following up for your schedule.

[A]

Please do. And I'll be following up, too. I need that brunch schedule.

[B]

No, but. Okay. So I've been really blessed to have a lot of incredible people in my life. A lot of black women, too. Shout out to black women. You all are like the backbone of society. Nothing moves without black culture, but nothing really moves without black women.

[A]

Come on.

[B]

So it was a black woman, Jyoteca Eady, who came to me. She's from South Carolina, who came to me and was like, you got something special, brother. That's what, you know, if, you know. You know, that's how she talk. You got something special, brother. Like, you got something special. And I was like, thank you, Jotayke. And, you know, and that's all she said at first. And she was behind the scenes talking to people. And then my fraternity brother Stephen, Steve Benjamin was advisor to the president. He also was, like, you know, whispering in ears. And for me, I was just calling anybody that would listen, like, hey, I was under people's social media. I was DMing some of them DMs still unread. But it happened. Thank you. It happened, you know, but, yeah, any email. I was sending the emails. And so. But I always made sure again, like, kind. I was always kind to people, and my mom taught me that at a very early age. I remember when I would. She would drop me off to school, she would say, trell, you treat the janitor the same way you treat the princess.

[A]

Absolutely same.

[B]

And that. All that's. That's stuck with me my entire life. I've always treated almost especially, you know, people who I felt like didn't also always get treated right. You know, I've always made a point to be kind to those people. And, you know, some of my biggest breaks have come from, like, somebody who a lot of people might have overlooked that I was kind to, that remembered my kindness and told somebody else about me.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

A big deal for me. I did PR in my many lives, would say I also did pr. And I remember my biggest thing. I got a placement in old magazine, which was huge.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And that placement came from me offering an assistant water. Somebody the assistant oftentimes nobody ever talks to. And I had, you know, they, you know, when you go visit officers and stuff, they'll make sure that you have the things that you need. And I got another water, and I offered the assistant one.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And the assistant told their boss, who told the editor who got me the placement. Wow. And I have so many stories in my life like that where just being kind to somebody who needs a little more kindness. Yeah. Can. Can open a big door for you.

[A]

So true. Oh, that's good. That is so good. Wow. I'm. I'm still stuck on. Somebody was watching while I was dreaming.

[B]

I'm telling you, I am still it. Probably literally while I was having that dream, somebody was like scrolling like, who is this brother?

[A]

Yeah. You know, that's crazy. What do you feel has made your brand stand out? Because I feel like the brunch, let's call it brunch industry, you know, is like very saturated. But what has made yours stand out over all the other ones?

[B]

I think when God has given you a vision, God will give you provision.

[A]

Come on. This. Okay. We're gonna add pastor to your title because you preaching right now.

[B]

Well, you know, I was in the church for. My mom was my Sunday school teacher. She was my vacation Bible school teacher. She was my choir director. I was in the church a lot. So don't let the this set fool you. Like, I. I know my word, but no, it's real. Like, when God gives you a vision, God will give you provision. And so it doesn't matter if it's a million people doing things. I mean, look at Fenty.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Like, Rihanna has a billion dollar industry that everybody would say oversaturated. You can't turn anywhere without saying some makeup. But it ain't Fenty.

[A]

Hello. And then has deals after deals with other.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

Like she just does everything. Yeah.

[B]

And I feel like we live, you know, we were talking about this. I don't operate in a scarcity mindset. We live in an infinite. You know, there's enough of everything for everybody. Three times, three and four times over. So I've always been live by that. Like there's enough for me.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And so. But I think there are a couple of things that, that. That differentiate the brunch from other brunches. Right. One is like the heart of it. And I think that you should hone it. Like no. You know, the. Know your why and the intention behind your why before you start anything and be really firm on that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I have been like, I've said no to six figure deals because what it wasn't it. It wasn't the heart.

[A]

That's so good, you know. Integrity.

[B]

Yeah. You got to keep your integrity. You got to keep the integrity of your brand. Like how many place fast food restaurants did you used to love? And then when it got too big, they they mess with the integrity, and now it's not good. And I think it's the same thing with your brand. You got to treat your brand like that. You got to keep. Be integral about it. And so for me, like, I am, I know that my nose make. Make way for my yeses, so I'm not afraid to say no to anything. And that has really helped the brand, like, having those clear boundaries. I feel like another thing about a brand is having something that's recognizable. So the all white really helps, too. And for me, it wasn't about making a brand. It was more so about. I put us in All White because I wanted the concentration to be on the beauty of our melanin. So I didn't want anything distracting us from that. I wanted people to see the beauty of your skin because it is about celebrating blackness. And blackness isn't because of black excellence, isn't because of all the accolades that you receive. You were born. That is a birthright that we have. And I teach my sister to teach her sons. Like, we didn't come, like, people were like, oh, yeah, they brought slaves over to America. No, they brought doctors and lawyers and engineers and all these things. Like, we. And kings and queens. We were born into royalty. That's our ancestry, you know. So I wanted the concentration to be on the beauty of, like, all of the different shades of us. So that's another thing that has helped the brand. But I also think consistency.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And consistency is probably, you know, paramount with anything, any brand building. You have to be consistent. You have to continue to show up. That's the thing that a lot of people struggle with. I feel like.

[A]

Yeah, it is. What is the legacy that you want to leave behind when it's all said and done, especially with this brunch, because it's already. It's building a legacy of its own.

[B]

Oh, thank you. That's such a. Like, ah. You know, I want the legacy of black excellence brunch and of. Of myself just to be that, like, people felt safe and seen and affirmed.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Around me and in the black excellence brunch, because I believe that when people feel seen and affirmed, they're able to show up more authentically. And when you're able to show up more authentically, you can walk your path, because our path is unique to us as our thumbprint. And you can only get what's for you by being you. Like, I can only get what's for trail by being trail. I can't get what's for trail. Trying to be crystal and so when you show up authentically, you can collect all the things that are for you. And so. And when you. When you feel safe, you're able to do that.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And so I want people to feel a little safer and a little more affirmed and a little more seen when they're around me or when they're in spaces that I created.

[A]

Yeah. So something that I'm really interested to know about is the day of a big event, the day of your brunch, because I. I've thrown parties, and I know how stressful it is. The. The things that happen. What is one of the craziest things that's happened where, like, oh, my God, is this going to happen? Like, are we going to even be able to have the brunch today? Because I know those moments. You probably need a reality show just around the legit.

[B]

There's so many. But there's one that I could think about and I could talk about it now, but for a long time, I couldn't talk about it. So we were in Austin, Texas. My first time in Austin, Texas, at Afro Tech. I was so excited to be there. We were doing this brunch at this place, and they told us, like, hey, we have, like, you know, a semi kitchen. So, you know, basically when that happens, like, the chef prepares the food and then you come bring it in and you warm it. Cool. That happens. That's okay. You get there. It is a parking garage. There is. The outlets don't work in there. You can't have a brunch without food. And the chef thought, like, oh, I'm gonna make the eggs in there. Because we didn't have any. We didn't have any food. We didn't have any way to warm it up. We were down there buying. We were buying hot plates to plug them up, had to run an extension cord up some steps to plug in the hot plates. The other chef was at. At this Airbnb, cooking the food, driving back and forth to bring. I mean, it was insane. All above. You know, the music is playing. People are like, oh, yeah, I'm down there running back and forth, hosting. Hey, welcome to the Black Excellence Brunch. We're so glad for you to be here. Running downstairs, putting on gloves, like, putting. And it was wild. Wild. And I. So that was a moment where I was just like, I don't know.

[A]

And.

[B]

And honestly, the White House was a very big undertaking because you can't do anything. There's a lot of checks and balances, as you can imagine.

[A]

Oh, my Gosh, they were every, like, even, like, the Secret Service.

[B]

Yeah. It was a lot.

[A]

It was so much. I was like, oh, I remember. I just remember working on the hill. It felt like that all over again.

[B]

Yeah. So that was, you know, navigating that space, and I didn't, like, every. I didn't want. And it's the same with the brunches. Like, I wanted. Yeah. People that you recognize and know and love, like yourself there. I also wanted people that may have never gotten the opportunity to come, you know, So I invited some people from South Carolina who, you know, probably never even been in a state building, let alone the White House. So navigating that space and, like, you know, making sure. Yeah, my family was there. My dad. My dad does not talk, and he would not shut up. Like, he was inside the light. I was, like, taking pictures of everything. I think my dad took a picture of the floor. What you gonna do with that? But I wanted people to have that experience. And so navigating that was like, oh, my gosh. And, you know, not only that, I was building the program. I was, you know, figuring out, like, the food and all those things. So doing it at that scale for 3,000 people and also trying to make sure, like, even. You know, including, like, even the smallest people from the smallest town. I mean, not. There's no small people, but, you know, people from small towns wouldn't get those opportunities. Who wouldn't get those opportunities. And making sure those people were included as well. It was just. That was. That was a huge undertaking.

[A]

Yeah, I can imagine.

[B]

Well, Austin takes the kick. That was.

[A]

Oh, that's crazy. Yeah.

[B]

And you.

[A]

But you handled and you kept pushing. That's what matters.

[B]

Yeah. And a lady. That one was with Doordash, and the same lady went to another company, and she. We're doing a black excellence brunch together in a few weeks. So that's why I can talk about it, because I'm like, okay, nobody knew, right?

[A]

That's good. You pivoted.

[B]

That's good.

[A]

I love that. I want to know more about Trell. So you have these amazing brunches. You've had an incredible impact on our community and culture. What does Trill do to stay grounded after all these monumental moments?

[B]

You gonna laugh at this? And maybe you won't, but I take baths, and it's not like you, like, oh, yeah, you take a bath. Everybody takes a bath. But no, I make it a thing. Like, I get the candles, I burn incense, I dim the lights. I have the music on. I have Bath bombs. Like, I really make it a mom that has become like my recentering moment. I love it. And I'll just sit in there and I'll think.

[A]

And.

[B]

Yeah, like your Rev Run. Rev Run. Yeah. I was literally like I was finding the name. Yeah. It's my Rev Run moment. And I just sit in there and it resets me and it just calms me. And in that, you know, time, I'm just thinking about that because I've tried like every way to meditate and I'm like, my mind is just so. It's always going, going, but in there I just feel like it just, it's so calming. So I do that. And I like to travel, so I take trips. Yeah.

[A]

What's one of your favorite places to go?

[B]

My favorite places, I have to say, I don't know if you've ever been to Ghana.

[A]

I have not, no. I've only been to South Africa.

[B]

Like when you're talking about. It just felt like a big hug from your grandma being there. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I just felt like embraced in a way that I have never felt.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

So, like, that Ghana has to have been one of my favorite trips. I also really love, like, London is my spirit city. And I think London holds such a special place in my heart because if you haven't realized at this point, I'm a risk taker. And I booked the trip to London like on my 27th birthday. The night before the trip.

[A]

Oh, wow.

[B]

By myself. Went. And I had the time of my life.

[A]

Life.

[B]

And it was my first thing, my first like solo trip. It was like a, you know, what's that thing? Love, eat, prayer, eat, pray, love. It was that for me.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

And, and so ever since then, I've just had such an affinity for, for London really.

[A]

I went to London in December and I guess it was. No one told me that wasn't a great time to go because.

[B]

Yeah, it rains. Yeah. Yeah.

[A]

I was like, no, thank you. Yeah.

[B]

But it's so, it's, it's, it's, it's a vibrant city. The fashion is top tier. The, like, you just. I just feel so cool, like Sherlock Holmes. I mean, I'm James Bond, like walking down the street, you know what I'm saying?

[A]

I love, I love that you are known for creating safe spaces for other people. How do you curate your own safe space?

[B]

Listen, boundaries. People talk a lot about boundaries. I have really set like firm boundaries around myself. And it comes with like learning. You have to learn yourself to know, like what you will. Because I used to be. I'm a Virgo too. So if you know anything about Virgos, it's very people pleasing sign. So we want people to be happy. So Mother Teresa is a Virgo. Like Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Kobe Bryant, Tyler Perry. Yeah. So like we're very much people who want people to. To feel safe and seen and loved. And sometimes that comes at the risk of like not seeing and affirming and loving yourself. And so I. Creating that safe space has looked like me creating boundaries. Me saying no when I mean no saying no and letting that be it. Not no, because not no, but not no. Maybe just no.

[A]

No. Yes.

[B]

You know, that has attributed to me creating a safe space. Also just doing things with love, you know, like I don't do anything. Like I wouldn't be here today if I didn't have a love for you and what you're doing and what you create. And so like I do things from a space of love and when you do things from that space, it always turns out beautiful.

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Every single time. If you operate from love, don't operate from greed, don't operate from transactional. Don't operate from, you know, trying to get a leg up, jealousy, anger. Don't operate from those spaces, operate from love. And I promise you the outcome every time will be so beautiful.

[A]

Yeah, I love that. Yeah. If you could name a lesson or an affirmation that lives rent from your head, what would it be?

[B]

Leave it better than you found it.

[A]

I love that.

[B]

Leave it better than you found it. I enter every space with the intention to leave it better than I found it. And I've showed up before. I. Anytime I go to a table, like I'm always bringing something to the table, you know, like, what can I bring? Because I don't want to be the person who just comes and takes something from somebody. You know, there's enough takers out there. Like be a giver and what you don't know, a lot of people don't realize.

[A]

I.

[B]

When you give, you also get a lot.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And so for me I'm like, I'm gonna leave it better than I found it because I'm gonna come with something I love that.

[A]

That is so good. Now music is a big part of everything that you built. Because when you come to your events.

[B]

The 90s hip hop and R&B, that's my 90s vibe. Yeah. Yes.

[A]

If you had a peace playlist where you're centered and a list that brings you piece, what would be one song that has to be on that playlist.

[B]

Oh, my God. The Conquering lion by Lauryn Hill. It's on her MTV Unplugged album. That song is short, but it is so powerful, man.

[A]

That's a good one.

[B]

I play that song, like, anytime I need, like, rejuvenation. Anytime I need the reminder of who I am. Anytime I need, like, that to feel spoken to. The Conquering lion by Lauryn Hill. If you have not heard that song, where's my camera? Right here. If you haven't heard the Conquering lion by Lauryn Hill, please do yourself a favor and listen to that album. When you talk about love being poured into something, she pours so much love into that unplugged. And it was so authentic. She let her voice crack, she cried. She started songs over. Like, that whole album was amazing. And it just taught me so much about, like, another Virgo trait, the chase of perfection. Like, you don't. It doesn't have to be perfect, but it has to be real.

[A]

Yes. Because I struggle with that, man.

[B]

But it doesn't. It doesn't happen, because in our imperfection, we are made perfect. And somebody will catch that, right?

[A]

I caught it.

[B]

I'm serious. And so, you know, like, yeah. You are perfection.

[A]

This is perfect right now. Trail God. This is, like, literally God. Everything is aligned, and this is God's timing, because everything you said today, I needed to hear it.

[B]

Oh, my gosh.

[A]

Oh, I'm just grateful. Thank you so much.

[B]

I'm grateful.

[A]

So before we get out of here, I love to play a little game.

[B]

Okay, let's do it.

[A]

We're gonna do a game of this or that. Brunch edition. All right.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Mimosa or bellini?

[B]

Bellini.

[A]

Shrimp and grits or fish and grits?

[B]

Fish and grits.

[A]

All right, now, we from the South. Now this next one's gonna be a little tricky. Grits with sugar or grits with salt?

[B]

Salt. Don't you put no sugar in my grits. Okay. Don't put no sugar in my grits. I don't want oatmeal. I want grits.

[A]

Compassion. When I was a kid, I wanted sugar and butter, but now that I'm an adult, I like sausage.

[B]

Yes. Savory grits only.

[A]

Yes. Savory for sure. That is hilarious. Fried eggs or scrambled eggs?

[B]

Scrambled.

[A]

Bacon or sausage?

[B]

I don't eat meat anymore, but I was a bacon guy. Bacon was a bacon and pepperoni was the hardest thing for me to give up.

[A]

Listen, I don't eat pork, but I still eat pepperoni.

[B]

See? Cuz that turkey pepperoni don't hit the same.

[A]

Some people feel like like bacon when they say I don't eat pork. When I eat bacon, they don't feel like it counts.

[B]

That was me. That was me for a long time. And somebody was like, tr. No, come on now, let it go.

[A]

Yeah, that is funny. Waffles or pancakes?

[B]

That's tough. Pancakes. You know, chicken and waffles is like a staple brunch thing. Pancakes. I like fluffy.

[A]

I'm with you. Yeah. Sweet or savory?

[B]

Savory.

[A]

You want a vibes playlist or a live band?

[B]

Can a live band play the vibes? Yes.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. Give me that.

[A]

I like that trail. Thank you so much.

[B]

Thank you.

[A]

You have literally been a blessing. Thank you so much.

[B]

I love you. I do.

[A]

I love you too. And I wish you many more successful black excellence brunches and whatever they may turn to something else even bigger. I pray that it just goes bigger and bigger and bigger. Seriously. And I can't wait to watch it and watch you do amazing things. I'm so proud of you.

[B]

How we see that. Can we pray? Can I pray for you? Absolutely. God, I just want to say thank you so much for this opportunity. Thank you for this safe and beautiful and affirming space that Crystal has provided. Thank you for the doors that are opening. Thank you for the things that are happening. Lord, we just bless. Ask you just bless everything that her hand touches, every place that her feet goes. And father, we ask that you open all the doors that need to be open and close all the doors need to be closed. And because we also know that Crystal is an amazing steward over everything that you have given her. Bless her staff, bless everybody that is around this show and bless everything that she puts her hands to. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen.

[A]

For today's Crystal's closet, I am wearing a matching denim set from Zara. The top is a denim vest with gold detail buttons. My shoes are blue rubber Bottega Veneta sandals. Super comfy. And my signature jewelry. Sweeties. Are you prepared for what you're praying for? Thank you all so much for spending time with me today. Please don't forget to, like, comment, subscribe so that you don't miss any of the impactful guests that we have planned for season eight. And always remember, if opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. I'll see you all next time.

[B]

Sam.