Celebrated cultural pioneers Beverly Bond and Cicely Gay received special recognition at The Black Excellence Brunch for their transformative work in Black communities. Their contributions highlight an ongoing commitment to empowerment, advocacy, and positive change across various sectors.
Celebrating Trailblazing Black Women Leaders
Beverly Bond, founder of BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Awards, stood honorably before attendees to accept her honor. Since 2006, Bond has transformed her initiative from an awards show into a powerful movement celebrating Black women’s excellence across multiple industries.
“It is a profound honor to stand here,” Bond expressed graciously, acknowledging Trell Thomas, the brunch’s founder, for “pouring into our community.”
Black Lives Matter’s Groundbreaking Support
Cicely Gay, serving as board chairwoman for Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, brought an unexpected surprise to the celebration. The foundation announced a generous $50,000 donation to BLACK GIRLS ROCK!
“Take a moment to get to know our work but most importantly, get to know our heart,” Gay shared with attendees. Her words emphasized the foundation’s commitment to becoming “the largest philanthropic abolitionist organization to ever exist.”
Surprise Guest Monica Shares Words of Wisdom
The event reached new heights with an unexpected appearance by R&B sensation Monica. The “So Gone” singer shared powerful insights about faith and perseverance with the gathered crowd.
Monica reflected on her mother’s teachings, stating, “My mom used to always talk about faith being the size of a mustard seed, but at the same time, you can’t see it.” Her words resonated deeply with the audience.
The Spirit of Community and Celebration
Trell Thomas, the visionary behind The Black Excellence Brunch, created the event to mirror the warmth of his mother’s Sunday dinners. His goal remains clear: celebrating extraordinary individuals while fostering a sense of family.
“I wanted to extend that joy to my friends,” Thomas explained, emphasizing the importance of recognizing those “doing incredible work where they are in their respective spaces.”
