Each month, this brunch brings Black people together in KCK, Lawrence and Topeka | Opinion
At a gathering earlier this month at the Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, a group of Black men discussed current issues affecting the African American community and their role as fathers and leaders. It was my second time attending this monthly meeting called Black Men, Can We Talk? but the first time I’d heard of Black Brunch — events I will touch on later in this column.
These mental health discussions are facilitated by licensed master social worker Caleb Stephens, of Lawrence, and sponsored by the Center for African American Health at the University of Kansas Medical Center, a relatively new initiative aimed at improving the health outcomes for the underserved.
The goal of these talks is to foster connections among Black men and offer an opportunity for participants to discuss some of the daily challenges many of us face but are unable or unwilling to share due to what mental health professionals such as Stephens describe as hypermasculinity.
On this day, conversations ranged from how we felt about such topics as the fatal stabbing of Kansas City firefighter-paramedic Graham Hoffman by a Black woman to other current events that were much easier to discuss.
Twice during the May 8 meeting a participant mentioned Black Brunch, I thought: What is this? I’ve never heard of it. At some point, I asked Stephens to give the group more information about Black Brunch, where it was located and who were the hosts.
Black Brunch is held once a month in Kansas City, Kansas, and Lawrence, Stephens said. A new iteration had just begun in Topeka as well, he said. Much like Can We Talk, these gatherings are free, Stephens added. I was intrigued. This week, I reached out to Stephens for more information about this particular monthly event — “Join us for a morning of fellowship, games and delicious food as we connect with each other,” promotional fliers read.
The next Black Brunch is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at She Will Beauty, 1910 Haskell Avenue, Suite 11, in Lawrence. The Community Health Council, 803 Armstrong Avenue, will host Black Brunch KCK from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 31.
Below is a Q&A with Stephens. Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Toriano Porter: What is Black Brunch and how did you come up with the idea?
Caleb Stephens: Black Brunch is a space where Black people come together to eat, drink, play games and build intentional relationships with other Black people. I created it at least 10 years ago, because I was tired of going throughout the week without seeing any Black people. During the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, I found myself needing joy, fellowship and community with other Black people that weren’t out marching, protesting, and putting our bodies in danger. I created Black Brunch and we started with four people, each Sunday, for a while, then grew organically.
TP: What is the intended purpose of Black Brunch?
CS: Black Brunch’s motto says it all: “Come as you are, and let’s grow together.” There isn’t a script nor is there a program. Black Brunch is a space where you are celebrated for showing up with food, drink, discourse, games, hugs and relationships.
TP: Talk about the evolution of Black Brunch and how it expanded to KCK and Topeka.
CS: Black Brunch started at Ladybird Diner in Lawrence over 10 years ago. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, we moved to virtual sessions and they included people from all over the globe. Black Brunch LFK at Ladybird Diner was the staple and consistent for years, with the hope that we’d expand. However, it wasn’t until this last year that things really took off. I received a grant from Frontiers Clinical and Translational Science Institute out of Kansas City that allowed me to make Black Brunch LFK free of charge. At the same time, Kim Weaver, another staple of the Black Brunch family, also applied for the same round of grants from Frontiers, and received it, and was able to branch out and launch Black Brunch KCK. Since then, we have planted another brunch in Topeka, Kansas, which does cost money, but we’re working on that as well (any funders are welcome to reach out through the Black Brunch LFK Facebook page).
TP: Please list the name of the other organizers of Black Brunch.
CS: The other organizers are: Kimberly Weaver, Theresa Folsom, Kimberly Weaver, LeDarious Johnson, Jaquita Clark and Courland Davis.
TP: Who sponsors Black Brunch and how did you secure it?
CS: In LFK and KCK, we secured a grant from Frontiers, but the Topeka brunch costs $20 a person with kids always eating free. A tremendous human and leader in Kansas City, Cherayla Haynes, was the person heading up the community mini-grants. We are so thankful to have received that funding, but the funding will not last forever and food is expensive. We are always looking for people who are interested in giving to Black Brunch. If that’s you, hit us up. We anticipate planting Black Brunches in other cities in Kansas, as well as hoping to plant them throughout the country.
This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 5:06 AM.
