Sunday Brunch: A Refuge for Black Women’s Resilience After the Trump Election

Photo Credit: Getty Images What began as a lighthearted celebration reel of Sunday brunch—a joyful tradition where Black women gather to look beautiful, share laughter and savor life—quickly evolved into something deeper.  As I spoke with women across the city, what was supposed to be a fun reflection on why this ritual matters became a … Continued The post Sunday Brunch: A Refuge for Black Women’s Resilience After the Trump Election appeared first on Chicago Defender.

Sunday Brunch: A Refuge for Black Women’s Resilience After the Trump Election

Photo Credit: Getty Images

What began as a lighthearted celebration reel of Sunday brunch—a joyful tradition where Black women gather to look beautiful, share laughter and savor life—quickly evolved into something deeper. 

As I spoke with women across the city, what was supposed to be a fun reflection on why this ritual matters became a profound exploration of resilience in the face of utter disappointment. 

The joy of getting dressed up and coming together felt bittersweet, especially as the nation grappled with the disheartening Presidential election results. 

The sadness was palpable, a collective weight we’ve carried for generations. It became clear that brunch isn’t just a meal for us—it’s a necessity. 

This article started with mimosas and laughter but became a call to honor the strength and beauty of Black women—and to understand why these moments together are so essential. 

Brunch with your closest friend is more than just a meal—it’s an experience, a sanctuary and a celebration. For Black women, it’s a vital tradition, a time to recharge and uplift one another in a world that often weighs us down. Stepping out with the girls, looking cute, sharing laughter and reveling in joy is an act of self-care and community-building. 

I recently experienced this joy at Soul Food Lounge in Beverly. The chic décor, soulful live music and warm ambiance made it unforgettable. Even Matthew Knowles (yes, Beyoncé’s dad!) was there for a special tasting. But beyond the smiles and mimosas lay a deeper concern: After a recent election cycle, it felt like the spirit of Black women was visibly heavy. 

My daughter, an ambitious student with a 4.0 GPA, posed a heartbreaking question: “Mom, What’s the point of excelling when I’ll never be considered equal?” 

Her words echoed the sentiments of so many Black women after Kamala Harris’s election loss—bright, beautiful, accomplished, yet constantly battling to prove their worth in a system stacked against us. 

The aftermath of the Trump election was a collective heartbreak, especially for Black women. 

Even among friends who were not deeply political, the weight of the results was undeniable. 

“I felt an overwhelming wave of fear instantly. The anxiety from waiting for those results weighed so heavily on my mind,” said a friend named Gabby. “Once I heard the outcome, all I could relate it to was pure, unrelenting fear…I had to remind myself to put trust and faith in God, that is the only thing that eased my mind.”

Maliyah, a third-year college student, said she simply “lost hope.” 

“Reality hit me when I realized how many Americans think like Trump. I could not leave my couch. I missed school, and many other students felt the same. I actually had teachers cancel class the next day.” 

“When we returned, many professors took that class time to address our emotional needs and extended deadlines because everyone was clearly affected,” Maliyah said.

For Black women, who consistently show up as the backbone of democracy—voting at the highest rates of any demographic—the results felt like a betrayal. It was a stark reminder of how little our contributions, voices and lives seem to matter to the broader society.

Lasting Mental Effects

There is considerable proof that a Trump election victory correlates with higher levels of stress, especially among my brunch friends.

In 2016, Trump ran a highly contentious political campaign with racist and anti-immigrant rhetoric that led to adverse changes in mental health across several race/ethnic populations, according to a study conducted by the University of California, Irvine. 

Public health researchers said their results support “our hypothesis that the election of former President Trump was a stressful event that caused population-level mental health effects among those who may be most severely impacted by racist and xenophobic socio-political environments.” 

“We call this phenomenon “symbolic disempowerment,” and our study shows that elections themselves are social determinants of health,” said one of the researchers.

Why Brunch Matters 

Scenes from Black women brunching in Chicago (Photos courtesy of Kharyn Beard).

In these moments of stress and discouragement, traditions like Sunday brunch have become lifelines—a form of therapy and inspiration. 

Black Girl Magic wasn’t just a hashtag; its movement was born from the need to combat narratives that tell us we’re “not enough.” So, “Sunday Funday” becomes a space to remind each other that we are indeed more than enough. These moments sharpen our spirits and renew our strength to keep going. 

Building Community Through Camaraderie 

The camaraderie of Black women is a powerful force. It’s where encouragement flows freely and where we celebrate our wins, no matter how small. In a society where we’re often made to feel invisible, these gatherings ensure we see each other and, most importantly, ourselves. 

When we sit down for brunch, we’re not just sharing a meal; we’re sharing hope. We’re telling our daughters, our sisters, and ourselves that while the road may be tough, we have each other. 

So, the next time you see a group of Black women dressed all fabulous, laughing over mimosas, know that it’s more than brunch. It’s resilience. It’s healing. It’s magic.  

It’s a moment of building, healing, and shining. In a world that tells us we’re too much yet somehow not enough, these moments remind us to love ourselves unapologetically and lift each other up endlessly. 

Brunch may seem simple, but it’s a place where burdens are eased, joys are shared and strength is restored. 

It’s where we remind each other that, despite the odds, we are bold, brilliant and bound for so much more. 

So cheers to Black women brunching because when we rise together, our magic becomes unstoppable and our power undeniable.

Let’s keep showing up, lifting up and glowing up. 

Kharyn Beard

 

 

 

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