On Sunday, February 16, over 35 queer and/or trans Black women gathered at Soho’s Holloway House for a brunch hosted by celebrity stylist Zerina Akers and filmmaker Sidra Smith, celebrating love, friendship, and community. The event fostered meaningful conversations, openness, and support, creating an atmosphere of sisterhood and empowerment. DJ T-Kay provided a soulful soundtrack as guests enjoyed a delicious spread featuring French toast with fresh strawberries, avocado toast with poached eggs, and other hearty offerings. The McBride Sisters elevated the experience with a selection of red and white wines, making the gathering a true celebration of culture and connection.
Sidra Smith, who has long been an advocate for community-building, reflected on the significance of the gathering. “Anytime that I have a reason to build community with beautiful queer and Black trans women, it’s like, what– are you kidding me? It’s a blessing to be able to hold space and I want everyone to just connect with people you don’t know,” she said during a speech. “Let everyone know what you’re up to. Let’s support each other. I feel like now is a time that we have to be grounded in joy more than ever.” Her words set the tone for the event, reminding everyone of the critical importance of coming together in times of uncertainty.
For Zerina Akers, the brunch represented more than just a gathering—it was a call for deeper connections and understanding. “We’re going to need a lot of each other. We’re going to have to do it ourselves and start communicating a little bit differently, and everything’s going to be a little bit more low key for us. So this is just to kind of start that connection as well, you know, for us to connect laterally and just start getting that energy flowing,” Akers said, underscoring the need for mutual support and understanding among the community.
A keynote moment of the event came from Dr. Summer Allen, a renowned author and emotional intelligence expert. Dr. Allen’s work, particularly her book Lose The Debate: A Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence and Successful Dialogue, provided insights for attendees on navigating the challenges of modern social climates. During the brunch, Dr. Allen spoke on the importance of emotional intelligence, offering practical guidance on how to approach life’s struggles with grace, compassion, and resilience. The Q&A session that followed sparked deep reflections among the guests, urging them to embrace their inner strength and to remain emotionally aware as they move through life’s ups and downs.
As the day drew to a close, the love and support shared among the women in the room continued to resonate. It was clear that this gathering had done more than foster connections—it had built a lasting sense of unity. Sidra Smith and Zerina Akers, both of whom expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to bring such a powerful group of women together, were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love in the room. The event was a reminder of the strength that exists in solidarity, and the power of shared experiences to uplift and inspire.
The event was a beautiful nod to the unwavering spirit of the Black queer and trans community.