Brown Skin Brunchin

Tell everyone who you are and what you do.

Brown Skin Brunchin’ is a founder funded global technology and social group, founded in 2018 by Lillian Jackson and Melissa Mason around a simple idea - brunch. Brown Skin Brunchin created a space for minority women to come together over a good meal & drinks, to meet other amazing minority women, and expand their personal and professional circles.

What inspired you to come up with “Brown Skin Brunchin”?

Lillian and Melissa met in the second grade at Blackwell Elementary School located in Richmond, VA. The two became inseparable and built a lifelong friendship that would face its first challenge when Lillian moved away for a job opportunity. It was through that distance that the pair realized that finding genuine friendships during adulthood were not an easy feat, and thus Brown Skin Brunchin was born.

Let’s talk about the experience you’ve had with the movement of the “Brown Skin Brunchin” you do all around the world?

Creating and watching Brown Skin Brunchin’ has been an amazing experience. We get to see people walk in not knowing anyone, but feel comfortable within minutes of engaging with others, and leave feeling like they’ve met their new best friend. We receive a ton of feedback from women about how much they’ve needed something like this, and how grateful they are that something like this exists in their community. Using this platform to build their sister circle has changed their lives and we are grateful to be a part of it.

How would you define your purpose?

Our purpose is to create organic connections and change the narrative around friendships amongst women of color, one brunch at a time.

Out of all the places you’ve been which one has been the most memorable one?

There’s no way to pick just one. Every city has its own vibe, and one experience cannot be compared to the next. Every event we attend is memorable because of the people we meet and the connections that are made during each one.

Where do you see this movement in the next five years?

Brown Skin Brunchin is currently working on its goal to reach 100 cities, with plans to expand to 130 cities, domestic and international, by 2023. There are also goals of increasing international expansion, supporting women in their entrepreneurial journeys, and creating scholarships and opportunities for young women of color. Melissa and Lillian see the Brown Skin Brunchin movement changing the lives of millions of women across the globe.

Can you tell us some of the things that these women get out of your “Brown Skin Brunchin”? –

Women leave our events feeling confident in themselves, because for most, stepping into a room full of women they don’t know to share a meal is completely out of the box for them. Women also feel empowered because they share their experiences, challenges, and successes with people who understand where they are coming from, and gather support in ways they didn’t have before. Women leave an event with a new connection, whether it be personal or professional, and we’ve witnessed people leave with a new lifelong friend, leads to a new career, guidance on how to start their own businesses, etc. The list goes on.

What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders? Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, have an open mind, and know what you are looking for. Take a chance on you. If you don’t, no one else will!

Are you working on any new events or upcoming projects?

We are always working on creating new events and experiences. Brunches are held monthly in each city, so every city has an event to look forward to. We are also working on expanding our reach across the globe by kicking off our launch in Europe in 2023.

Where can the followers follow you?

You may connect with us via our website, https://www. brownskinbrunchin.com, via our app Brown Skin Brunchin’ in the App and Google Play stores, via social media, at Brown Skin Brunchin’ on Facebook, @brownskinbrunchin on IG, and @brownskinbrunchin on TikTok.