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

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.

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

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)

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

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.

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.

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.

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.