It’s a different kind of post-election party.
“I reserved a room at the Minneapolis Club and I’m inviting 100 of my best friends,” said Sheletta Brundidge, whose company, ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com is hosting “A Brunch for Black Women” on Saturday morning, Nov. 9.
The difference is that this group is not celebrating the results of the election. Instead, they’ll process disappointment, sadness, anger, rejection and a whole host of other feelings Black women are experiencing.
“Kamala’s success was our success,” said Brundidge. “When she got rejected, we got rejected. It’s a source of sorrow and a lot of us are having a difficult time picking up the pieces.”
ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com is a multimedia podcasting platform, promotions and production company that highlights issues important to Black folks. Brundidge says the brunch is for Black women who could use a pick-me-up. “It’s a way for us to connect and engage about our shared experience,” Brundidge said. “I’m not saying white women didn’t feel this loss, but we feel it differently.”
Attendees will enjoy brunch, mimosas, cards, candle making, yoga, hot tubing and even the opportunity to talk to local Black therapists who understand. “I think we feel like we’re showing up for others and they’re not showing up for us,” said Ebony Eromobor, Founder and Clinical Director of Village Support Therapy & Consulting in Brooklyn Park. The practice was founded in May of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest following George Floyd’s murder. “It’s this idea of having to constantly be strong black women.” Eromobor will be on hand at the brunch to talk to women who might need extra support.
According to a study from the National Alliance on Mental Health, Black women are more likely to experience mental health conditions and often do not get the treatment they need. “A lot of the messaging passed down intergenerationally is that it is selfish to serve ourselves,” Eromobor said. “We must learn this is not selfish, but selfless and get the help we need so we don’t run ourselves dry.”
Support to feel better mentally and physically will be offered at the brunch, which focuses on spreading community and healing among the participants. “Nature has always been one thing that can ground you,” said De’Vonna Pittman, CEO and founder of Nature’s Syrup Beauty, which caters to an often-overlooked population: those with kinky, coily and curly hair. Pittman will be showing the women how to make body scrubs using things they can find in their cabinets, like sea salt, olive oil and essential oils. “What I like to do is bring people back to nature, have them put their hands in it,” Pittman described. “It makes us feel better and brings us back to our center and grounds us.”
While some consider taking action the appropriate response to the election, A Brunch for Black Women is more of a time-out, a breather. “We often ask each other, hey ya’ll, what do we do next?” Eromobor said. “But we also must take some time to rest. The fight doesn’t have to happen today.”
According to Brundidge, this is a moment for Black women to pause and get their groove back. “We just need to get together, eat brunch, drink mimosas, do yoga, get in the hot tub and feel joy.”
A Brunch for Black Women is Saturday, Nov. 9 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Minneapolis Club.
Space is limited to this free event. Register here.