iconic. . . classic. . . it's Brunch No.5
WHAT'S FOR BRUNCH?
Those who brunch will be treated to an afternoon menu of networking, live performances, arts & skills exchange, and debate, all overflowing with Black Boy Joy, and prepared lovingly by us, for us:
dine 1.30-2.30pm
Brunch is served! Over brunch, we emphasise connection and encourage diners to mingle and mix – a space for inter-generational networking, for making connections for support and action. This month, there are 40 guest spaces for brunch – with a menu that emphasises hearty, nutritious, sustainably sourced flavours … with soul.
Are you a foodpreneur? We want to create a roster of suppliers for Brunch and other BLKOUT events and to support food businesses that are led by Black and/or queer owners – get in touch
discover 2.30-5.00pm
Take part in a personal development workshop, share a skill, learn something new, explore a new hobby, refresh an old skill, be one of the Boys in the Band, court and document different opinions and experiences, through participating in a debate, embarking on this month's scavenger hunt team challenge, organising a Christmas holiday meetup . . . 'only connect'.
Would you or your organisation like to offer an hour-long workshop – perhaps as an intro to your brand, a taster for a longer course, to recruit new staff or volunteers, or simply to be part of the fun? Click here to pitch your idea
A full list of available workshops will be shared a week before Brunch – those who brunch can sign up online or decide when you arrive.
delight 5.00-7.30pm
Delight in our monthly entertainment, arts, and current affairs show, Hard Pressed. Presented by co-hosts, Rob and Nzube, and backed by our house band, led by Mike Scott-Harding, those who brunch will join talented podcasters, top-notch performers, emerging and established artists and opinion-formers, to share in the wit and wisdom of Black queer excellence.
Think you should be on the Black Men Who Brunch stage? – Have a story to tell, a new book, event, or film to promote to other Black Queer Men? Tell us about it - shoot your shot and pitch your idea
EAT IN & TAKEAWAY
Thanks to a grant received in October 2021 from the National Lottery Community Fund, we have been able to improve our capacity to make Black Men Who Brunch more accessible online and in-app, and eke out more time to improve the quality of production and partnerships. The grant from the Local Connections Fund also meant that (crucially) we have been able to address the challenges we've experienced in the past in sharing meals.
We will now be able to record a live podcast (that delivers to required and make an edited version available for those who are unable to physically attend, create video outputs together, and livestream some elements of workshops and performances. We are grateful to National Lottery players for their contribution in support of our efforts - nice one!
The BLKOUT Hub – our newly rebooted community app, will become an increasingly significant part of the event for those attending as well as those who are on catch up or ‘brunching from home’ - you are encouraged to download the app, get your membership verified, and get connected.
We are stronger through our diversity and consciously work towards inclusion. Our venues have step-free access. Our online platforms include captioning where possible. If you have particular needs that we can meet, do not hesitate to contact us.
We recognise that we operate in an unequal society and therefore offer events at lowest possible cost, and ideally free of charge. When a fee is required, we offer subsidised tickets to those who may find it harder to pay and give those who can afford more, an opportunity to buy a ticket for others via our ‘pay it forward’ option.
To enable us to effectively address persistent inequalities, facilitate healing from trauma, and shelter from the racisms and homophobia that we face, it is necessary, on occasions, to host spaces exclusively for those who identify as Black gay, bi and/or trans men. While Black Men Who Brunch will always centre the needs and experiences of Black Queer men, it is open to all who come in solidarity, and attendance is not an indicator of ethnic or sexual identity. We ask all who attend to respect themselves and others in the space by seeking to do no harm and, if asked, to co-operate with mediation to resolve issues that may arise.
We are creating ‘brave space’ in which existing structures and patterns of behaviour and belief are open to challenge and change. We recognise that we are all ‘works in progress’. This is a process that requires trust to be built between attendees. We take safeguarding of each other seriously and have been collaboratively developing our policy and practice in this area. If at any point you feel at risk, or witness behaviour which puts others in harm's way, please let us know. There may be parts of the programme that are reserved for those who identify as Black Queer men and seek to operate as more traditional ‘safer space’ - facilitators will work with those groups to clarify the implications for those invited into such spaces and to offer participants an informed choice about whether to stay. We thank our friends for their understanding.
