Enjoying a good brunch with friends can be the highlight of your weekend, your week even. Connecting with like-minded women of color and expanding your professional and personal networks while doing so is even better. Enter, Brown Skin Brunchin’.

In 2018, Lillian Jackson and Melissa Mason, lifelong friends since the second grade, founded Brown Skin Brunchin’ to foster opportunities to meet and connect with other professional women of color over brunch. The goal, skip the awkwardness of networking events, and instead network over brunch in a fun and casual setting. Bonus: connect with other women of color who are also being intentional about building and expanding their circles. 

That is what sets Brown Skin Brunchin’ apart from your typical brunch you go to with your friends. Brown Skin Brunchin’ ambassador, Johnyelle Lee, understands the value of building such a network. She says, “Education is very important, but networking will grant exclusive opportunities that may not be available to others. Don’t be afraid to communicate. Don’t lose yourself in social media. Nothing replaces face-to-face conversations and interactions, particularly with mentors and other influencers.”

But don’t expect a Brown Skin Brunchin’ meal to just be a quick bite with business card exchanges. It’s more than just a networking event, and more than just brunch. Yolina Owens, another Brown Skin Brunchin’ ambassador, likens her experience with the social group to the bond she shares with her sorority sisters, stating, “This bond is uniquely strong because we do not just communicate socially over brunch; we motivate each other by sharing inspirational thoughts and prayers to encourage one another to push through our personal and professional journeys.”

With over 70 chapters hosting monthly brunches throughout the country, as well as in Grenada, the West Indies, and Toronto, there’s probably a brunch near you. If not, you can always request to start a chapter in your city. Here in Texas there are already four chapters. LaTronda Larry and Taleta Casey are the ambassadors for the Austin chapter, which just had brunch at Grove Wine Bar. The Dallas Chapter, which is led by Kcenia Estrella, recently had brunch at Mercat Bistro. In Houston, they brunched at Lost and Found in September with ambassador, Misty Starks. While the San Antonio chapter, led by ambassadors Jessica McAllister and Shamika St. Pierre, brunched at the St. Anthony Hotel. 

Learn more about how to become a member of Brown Skin Brunchin’ here.